UK may face blackout this winter as energy crisis deepens

Businesses and even consumers could face blackouts this winter as cold weather and gas shortages could force the rationing of electricity in January, stated a recent report.

Under the government’s latest “reasonable worst case scenario”, officials believe the UK could experience blackouts for several days in January if cold weather combines with gas shortages leave the country short of power.

Under that outlook, below-average temperatures and reduced electricity imports from Norway and France could expose four days in January when the UK may need to trigger emergency measures to conserve gas.

Under the forecasts, which government sources insist are highly unlikely to materialise, the power shortfall could total about a sixth of peak demand even if emergency plans to fire up retiring coal power plants are enacted, Bloomberg reported.

Rail services could even be hit if electricity is rationed, because the railway is one of the biggest industrial users of power, sources said.

Officials are concerned that the UK may have to rely more heavily on piped gas shipments from Europe at a time when gas exports have already been curbed and the continent is scrabbling to rebuild its own supplies.

Concerns over winter blackouts have intensified this week after Norway threatened to ration electricity exports. However, it is also being said that the most extreme situation of Norway turning off all its gas to the UK was “extreme” and “never going to happen”.

A Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy spokesperson said the scenario was not something that was expected to happen, adding: “We are not dependent on Russian energy imports unlike Europe.

“Households, businesses and industry can be confident they will get the electricity and gas they need.”