Iranian hackers 'shut down British power plant for four days' in unprecedented cyber attack

By FRANCINE WOLFISZ, NEWS REPORTER Published: 01:59, 23 August 2026 | Updated: 02:32, 23 August 2026 Iranian hackers shut down a UK power plant for four days in an unprecedented cyber attack on Britain, it has been revealed. Cyber terrorists forced the facility to be completely closed down while staff battled to bring systems back online. Officials have not revealed which power plant was targeted, but it is understood to be relatively small - and the attack did not have any significant impact on the nation's energy supplies. The Government briefed chief executives of power companies about the incident and provided advice and direction.  Officials from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), a public-facing branch of GCHQ, were also informed and are investigating the breach. The attack was the first and most effective of its kind, but the Government insists 'at no point' was there a wider risk to Britain's energy system, The Telegraph reported. However the incident is a chilling indication of the potential harm wrought by successful cyber attacks on Britain's infrastructure, experts warned. It is said to have occurred at the same time US infrastructure was hit by a string of cyber attacks across more than a dozen states last month. Iranian hackers shut down a UK power plant for four days in an unprecedented cyber attack on Britain, it has been revealed (file pic) Cyber terrorists forced the facility to be completely closed down while staff battled to bring systems back online (file pic) In late July, US intelligence officials believe Iranian regime hackers hit a water utility in western Arkansas as part of the wider campaign, according to the Washington Post. Suspected Iran-linked cyberattacks have also struck water systems in a dozen states, including Michigan, Minnesota, Georgia, New Jersey and South Dakota, sources told CBS News, with more than 30 community systems breached in Minnesota alone. Hackers forced Georgia authorities in the Atlanta area to issue a boil water advisory after their intrusion caused a sudden drop in water pressure. In several cases, the hackers gained remote access to pumps, valves and pressure settings and forced utilities to switch to manual mode, but officials say the attacks  had no impact on drinking water. Both US and UK intelligence agencies have repeatedly warned of the risk from foreign adversaries, including not only Iran but also Russia, China and North Korea.  British critical national infrastructure and government agencies have been bombarded by thousands of attacks every day, they revealed. Schools, NHS systems, and commercial manufacturing facilities, including production lines at Jaguar Land Rover, have all been targeted. Major retailers' customer information has also fallen victim to cyber attacks, while voter records were stolen from the Electoral Commission. Experts have also highlighted that AI tools could be developed to assist and carry out cyber attacks faster and more efficiently. Cabinet Office research suggests the risk of a serious and successful cyber attack against Britain's infrastructure is now between five and 25 per cent.  A Government spokesman said of the latest breach: 'The UK has a highly resilient energy system. We work closely with the energy sector to protect infrastructure and ensure the highest security standards. 'This story refers to an incident impacting a small-scale energy generator, and at no point was there a risk to the wider energy system.'  Daily Mail has contacted the Department of Energy, Security and Net Zero for comment.