GuidePower cuts

What to do in a power cut in Ireland: a calm checklist

Most power cuts in Ireland are fixed within a few hours. Check whether it is just your home, report it to the network operator if it is not already known, keep the fridge and freezer closed, and use torches rather than candles. If anyone at home depends on powered medical equipment and the power will not be back soon, get help early.

Checked on 5 November 2026. Covers the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, with a note for Great Britain.

The first 15 minutes

• Check your fuse board. If only your home is dark, a tripped switch or a blown fuse may be the cause. Look at the neighbours, street lights or the building's common areas.
• Check the fault map. If your area is already listed on PowerCheck or the NIE Networks map, the fault is known and you will see an estimated restore time.
• Report it if it is not listed. The network operator fixes faults, not your electricity supplier.
• Use a torch, not candles. Candles are a common cause of house fires during power cuts. Keep a torch where you can find it in the dark.
• Turn off appliances you were using, such as the cooker, iron or heaters, so nothing comes back on unattended. Leave one light switched on so you know when the power returns.
• Save your phone battery. Lower the screen brightness and close apps you do not need. You may need the phone for updates and calls later.

The next few hours

• Keep the fridge and freezer closed. A closed fridge usually keeps food cold for about four hours. A full freezer keeps frozen food for much longer, around a day or two, if the door stays shut.
• Keep warm in one room. Most gas and oil boilers need electricity for their pumps and controls, so the heating usually stops too. Close doors, draw curtains, add layers and use blankets.
• Never use a barbecue, camping stove or generator indoors, including in a garage, porch or hallway. They produce carbon monoxide, which you cannot see or smell. If you have a solid fuel stove or open fire, make sure the chimney is clear and a carbon monoxide alarm is working.
• Check on neighbours who live alone, are older or have young children.
• Listen for updates on a battery or wind-up radio, or follow the network operator's updates on your phone.

If the power is off for a day or more

• Water: in some homes and areas, water pumps rely on electricity. If your water is affected, use the water you have stored for drinking first.
• Food: eat food from the fridge first, then the freezer, then the cupboard. If chilled food has been warm for a long time, or you are not sure, throw it out.
• Phones and internet: broadband and many home phones stop working without power. Mobile networks may also slow or stop during long cuts, so keep a power bank charged.
• Medicines: if a medicine must be kept cold, ask your pharmacist what to do before it becomes a problem.
• Heat: if the house is getting very cold and someone at home is vulnerable, consider staying with family or friends until the power is back.

If someone at home relies on electricity for medical care

Tell your electricity supplier if anyone at home uses powered medical equipment or is vulnerable in a power cut. In the Republic of Ireland, suppliers pass this to ESB Networks so you can be placed on a priority register. In Northern Ireland, contact NIE Networks to join its register for customers who rely on medical equipment. In Great Britain, ask your supplier about the Priority Services Register.

Being on a register helps the network operator contact you and plan support, but it does not guarantee the power will be restored first. Have a backup plan, such as spare batteries or somewhere else to go.

When the power comes back

• Switch appliances back on one at a time to avoid overloading circuits.
• Check the fridge and freezer, and reset clocks, timers and the heating.
• Recharge torches, power banks and phones, and replace any batteries you used.
• If your neighbours have power and you do not, check your fuse board, then report it again.

Frequently asked questions

Who do I call in a power cut in Ireland?

Call ESB Networks on 1800 372 999, whoever your electricity supplier is. In Northern Ireland, call NIE Networks on 03457 643 643.

How long will food last in the fridge without power?

About four hours if the door stays closed. A full freezer lasts much longer. When in doubt, throw it out.

Will my gas heating work in a power cut?

Usually not. Most modern gas and oil boilers need electricity for their controls and pumps, even though the fuel itself is not electric.

Is it safe to use candles?

Torches and battery lanterns are much safer. If you must use candles, put them in a stable holder away from curtains, never leave them unattended and keep them away from children and pets.

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