Details of how possible emergency three-hour blackouts in Greater Manchester would impact millions of people have been laid out. Bosses have reassured that planned power cuts are 'unlikely', but say homes across the region could well be plunged into darkness as demand for electricity rockets in the colder winter months.
Russia's war in Ukraine has led to the supply of gas and electricity becoming more uncertain, sparking concerns for the months ahead when demand for energy inevitably increases. Local leaders say planned power cuts, though improbable, may be needed.
If they are, they would likely take place once a day in the early evening. They would not mean power going off across the entire region at once - and there would be a few days' notice.
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Some charities dealing with critically-ill people have raised concerns and have issued a stark warning. The lives of patients receiving vital care at home and rely on electricity could be at risk, they say.
The Greater Manchester Resilience Forum oversees the region's emergency planning. Chair, Assistant Chief Constable Wasim Chaudhry, says those who are 'medically dependent' on electricity - such as people reliant on dialysis or oxygen machines - should already have back-up plans in place.
They are also encouraged to sign up to Electricity North West's free extra care register for additional support. Energy firms are required to liaise with councils and the resilience forum to share information about vulnerable customers and work together to provide welfare support.
Kidney Care UK - the country’s leading kidney patient support charity - says it still has real concerns. Policy director Fiona Loud said: "Thousands of people undertake their life-saving dialysis treatment at home because this works for them and is medically the best treatment option for them.
"This is very energy intensive, generating substantial electricity and water costs. Interruption to the power supply would put the treatment itself at risk. We are concerned that the needs of kidney patients are not being fully understood or considered in any advance planning."
Electricity North West says it has dedicated people working with the resilience forum to prioritise resources in emergency planning and during incidents. Kidney Care UK believes more needs to be done to keep people safe.
Ms Loud added: "We need to know what the contingency plans are for these individuals so that they can be assured that their health and wellbeing, as well as their life-saving treatment, will not be disrupted by unplanned and potentially dangerous power outages."
The charity advises all kidney patients to contact the Priority Services Register (PSR) for their utilities to ensure they are registered so specific power needs they have can be supported. But only a third of those it supports are.
Ms Loud added: "It is clear that more needs to be done, so we are calling on utility companies to work with us to ensure that every kidney patient gets the support and consistent supply they need."
Councillor Andy Morgan, Bolton town hall's cabinet member for adult social care, runs a care home. While he stressed planned blackouts are 'very unlikely', he said they are 'obviously a concern' for people - particularly those who rely on hospital-grade air mattresses to stop them getting pressure sores or suffering skin breakdown.
"If the power goes off and those beds fail, they would have to be moved on to memory foam or normal mattresses, that could affect tissue viability after a couple of hours," he added.
He also echoed Ms Loud in urging vulnerable people to register with their electricity provider to ensure they receive the extra support they need.
ACC Wasim Chaudhry said leaders were not expecting to see emergency planned power cuts this winter due to the 'secure, reliable and diverse national energy system'.
He added: "In the unlikely event that emergency planned power cuts are needed, National Grid would inform local electricity network operators, including Electricity North West, to prepare for rolling three-hour power cuts across the region for individual areas, perhaps once a day in the early evening. It would not involve the whole country, region or cities going off at once, and we would expect to get a few days' notice.
"People who are medically-dependent on electricity should already have plans to cope with power cuts, which can happen at any time, and if you use particular medical equipment ensure that you have a back-up or speak with your provider.
"Network operators are required in an emergency to liaise with Local Authorities and local resilience forum partners like the Greater Manchester Resilience Forum to share information about vulnerable customers and work together to provide welfare support."
Customers in vulnerable circumstances can join Electricity North West’s free extra care register for additional help and support. While joining the register does not protect customers from any type of power cuts, they will receive tailored communications to keep them informed.
Further information can be found at www.enwl.co.uk/bewinterready
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