Guidance

Electricity Supply Emergency Code

An outline of the process for ensuring fair distribution of electricity rationing during a prolonged electricity shortage.

• From: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
• Published: 1 January 2005
• Last updated: 13 April 2026
  Show all updates

  1. 13 April 2026

     Updated the Electricity Supply Emergency Code.

  2. 6 November 2019

     From 1 April 2019 there is a legal separation of powers between the National Grid Transmission Owner (TO) and National Grid Systems Operator (SO). This document has been updated to reflect the new role of the National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO).

  3. 10 April 2018

     Updated with April 2018 revision of code.

  4. 1 January 2005

     First published.

Documents

Electricity Supply Emergency Code

PDF, 1.41 MB, 40 pages

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Electricity Supply Emergency Code

HTML

Electricity Supply Emergency Code: Annex 1 - Variable Rota Disconnection Plan (accessible version)

MS Excel Spreadsheet, 16.8 KB

Electricity Supply Emergency Code: Annex 2 - Rota Plans (accessible version)

MS Excel Spreadsheet, 113 KB

Details

Update: 13 April 2026

This updated guidance follows a routine review that was launched in 2023 and is being published now to allow the industry to make the standard operational changes to their processes.

If a prolonged electricity shortage affects a specific region, or the whole country, electricity rationing may be necessary. The Electricity Supply Emergency Code (ESEC) outlines the process for ensuring fair distribution nationally while still protecting those who require special treatment, using a process known as ‘rota disconnections’.