Are You Living Without Mains Electricity in Northumberland?

17th Mar 2026

Across rural Northumberland, hundreds of households live without a connection to the mains electricity grid. For many people, electricity is something we take for granted — a basic need in modern life. But for some rural residents, accessing reliable and affordable power is still a major challenge.

The Powering People Project from Community Action Northumberland is working to change that.

The Reality of Living Off the Electricity Grid

More than 400 households in Northumberland — and around 2,000 across England — currently live without a mains electricity connection.

Instead, many households rely on diesel generators or small renewable systems to meet their everyday energy needs. While these solutions can work, they often come with serious drawbacks.

Off-grid households frequently face:

• Electricity costs 3–5 times higher than mains electricity

• Limited power for everyday appliances

• High installation costs for off-grid systems (often £40,000 or more)

• Unreliable power supplies and costly breakdowns

• Barriers to adopting heat pumps, electric vehicles, and other low-carbon technologies

• Ongoing reliance on fossil fuels such as diesel

• Challenges accessing grants, energy schemes and support programmes

For rural homes and businesses, these issues can affect everything from daily living to long-term sustainability.

Mapping Off-Grid Homes in Northumberland

The Powering People Project is working to identify and map every off-grid property in Northumberland.

By building a clearer picture of how many households are affected, the project aims to push for meaningful change at a regional and national level.

This work will help advocate for:

• Fair access to energy as a basic 21st-century need

• Recognition of off-grid communities in energy policy

• Free or affordable mains electricity connections

• VAT reductions or exemptions on connection costs

• Support for clean alternatives where grid connection isn’t possible

• Emergency support during outages or equipment breakdowns

Practical Support for Off-Grid Households

Alongside campaigning for change, the project also provides direct support to people living without mains electricity.

Off-grid energy advisors can help households:

• Explore solar, battery or biomass energy options

• Find grants and financial support

• Access practical advice tailored to their home

• Receive free energy-saving measures where available

The goal is to help households reduce energy costs, improve reliability, and move towards cleaner solutions.

Are You Living Off the Grid?

If you live in Northumberland and your home is not connected to the mains electricity grid, the Powering People Project would like to hear from you.

By sharing your experience, you can help build a stronger case for fairer energy access for rural communities.

Contact the Off-Grid Energy Advisors:

energy@ca-north.org.uk
01670 517178

Together, we can help ensure that everyone in Northumberland has access to reliable, affordable and sustainable energy.