Edinburgh power outages struck the city’s historic Grassmarket once again on New Year’s Eve morning, creating chaos for pubs and restaurants at the peak of the Hogmanay season. With hundreds of customers turned away and thousands of pounds lost, the latest blackout has reignited serious concerns about the resilience of the city’s ageing electricity infrastructure.
The outage began mid-morning on December 31, 2025, just as venues prepared for one of the busiest trading days of the year. Although engineers restored power by late afternoon, the disruption left a lasting impact on local businesses and raised urgent questions about long term solutions.
What Happened During the Edinburgh Power Outages on New Year’s Eve
The most recent Edinburgh power outages were caused by a fault in an underground cable serving the Grassmarket area. Electricity supplies failed suddenly, leaving bars, restaurants, and cafés unable to serve food or drinks for several crucial hours.
Many venues rely entirely on electric systems for tills, lighting, kitchens, and refrigeration. Once the power went out, operations ground to a halt. Business owners reported having no option but to close their doors and turn customers away during what should have been a profitable morning and afternoon.
Engineers from SP Energy Networks responded quickly, restoring electricity by approximately 3:30 PM. Crews remained on site throughout the evening to monitor the network and prevent further failures ahead of Hogmanay celebrations.
A Pattern of Edinburgh Power Outages Since 2021
Unfortunately, these Edinburgh power outages are not an isolated incident. Businesses in the Grassmarket and surrounding Old Town areas report similar disruptions almost every December since 2021, with problems worsening year after year.
Earlier in December 2025, a failed cable joint near Kings Stables Road caused another prolonged outage. Temporary repairs restored power, but they did not address underlying weaknesses in the network. Just days later, on December 30, electricity flickered off twice first between 3 PM and 5 PM, then again from 6 PM to 8 PM due to a separate fuse fault.
For business owners, the repeated interruptions have been financially draining. Staff still needed to be paid, perishable food spoiled, and bookings were cancelled at short notice, damaging customer trust.
How Edinburgh Power Outages Impact Grassmarket Businesses
The festive season is vital for hospitality, and Edinburgh power outages couldn’t have come at a worse time. Grassmarket pubs are central to the city’s Hogmanay atmosphere, attracting locals and tourists alike.
At least 30 venues were affected during December alone. Several pubs reported losing entire trading shifts, with some estimating losses in the thousands over a single weekend. Electrical surges during restoration also damaged equipment, adding unexpected repair costs.
Customer frustration added another layer of pressure. Visitors who had booked tables weeks in advance found venues suddenly closed, while others abandoned plans altogether. For a city that markets itself globally for New Year celebrations, the reputational risk is significant.
For official Hogmanay programming and updates, visit the
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Official Website
Technical Causes Behind Edinburgh Power Outages
Energy experts say recurring Edinburgh power outages point to deeper structural problems within the local grid. Much of the underground cabling serving the Old Town is ageing and struggling to cope with increased demand during peak tourist periods.
High-voltage faults were recorded in both 2024 and 2025, alongside frequent low-voltage issues. Engineers have suggested that the nearby substation may no longer be sufficient for modern usage levels, particularly during winter events like Hogmanay.
Despite repeated failures, no major infrastructure upgrades have yet been completed. Temporary repairs may restore power quickly, but they leave businesses vulnerable to repeat incidents.
Business Leaders Speak Out on Edinburgh Power Outages
Local operators have become increasingly vocal about the ongoing Edinburgh power outages. The Signature Pub Group, which owns several prominent Grassmarket venues including Cold Town House, described the situation as “devastating” for trade.
Directors reported turning away hundreds of customers during the latest outage, noting that similar issues arise almost every festive season. Other independent owners echoed these concerns, warning that unreliable power threatens the long-term viability of city-centre hospitality.
A joint letter has been sent to city councillors and MSPs, demanding clear timelines for infrastructure upgrades and accountability from energy providers.
You can also explore guidance on managing power disruptions via
UK Power Networks.
Recovery After the Latest Edinburgh Power Outages
By early evening on December 31, power was fully restored following the latest Edinburgh power outages, allowing Hogmanay celebrations to proceed largely as planned. Engineers visited affected premises to provide reassurance, while additional crews remained on standby through the night and into New Year’s Day.
SP Energy Networks issued an apology, acknowledging the heightened impact of outages during peak festive periods. Meetings with local businesses have been scheduled for early 2026 to discuss potential improvements and future resilience.
Despite the setbacks, many venues reported strong turnout once power returned, highlighting the resilience of both businesses and customers.
Preventing Future Edinburgh Power Outages
Looking ahead, preventing further Edinburgh power outages will require more than temporary fixes. Business owners and energy experts agree that significant investment is needed to reinforce cables, modernise substations, and plan for predictable demand spikes.
Some operators are exploring backup power options, but these are costly and impractical for many historic buildings. Ultimately, responsibility lies with energy providers and city leaders to ensure infrastructure keeps pace with Edinburgh’s growing tourism economy.
For broader advice on energy resilience and efficiency, visit Energy Saving Trust.
Final Thoughts
The latest disruptions show how vulnerable city-centre businesses remain to infrastructure failures. While Grassmarket bounced back quickly for New Year’s Eve, the warning signs are clear. Without long term investment, similar outages are likely to return.
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations once again lit up the night but ensuring reliable power will be essential to keeping the city’s festive reputation shining in years to come.
