The power supply in our region is managed by Counties Energy – your local electricity network, of which 100% shares are held by The Counties Energy Trust for the benefit of consumers connected to its electricity distribution network.
The Trust is not involved in managing outages for consumers, and we encourage anyone experiencing an outage to visit Counties Energy’s Outage Hub here. Alternatively, you may wish to call Counties Energy directly on 0800 100 202.
Below are some helpful tips on how to tackle a power outage.
The difference between an unplanned vs planned outage
Planned Power Outage:
A planned outage is scheduled ahead of time so the team at Counties Energy can safely do maintenance, repairs, or upgrades to keep our electricity network in good condition for the consumers. Customers are notified in advance.
Unplanned Power Outage:
An unplanned outage happens suddenly without warning, usually caused by storms, vehicles hitting electrical equipment or by trees growing too close to overhead power lines or other unexpected issues. The team at Counties Energy work hard to get the power back up and running but there are some things you can do to be prepared.
Be Prepared
Below are some ways in which you prepare for an unplanned power outage.
- Have an emergency preparedness kit that includes a flashlight, batteries, cash, and first aid supplies.
- If you rely on electricity for medical reasons, ensure you have an emergency backup plan in place should the power go out.
- If you’re using your car to charge devices, position your car outside the garage to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Disconnect appliances and electronics to avoid potential damage from electrical surges during an outage.
- Keep cell phones and any battery-powered devices charged.
- Store some water for drinking and washing if you rely on a water pump (rural properties)
For more information on outages, please visit Counties Energy’s website here.