People across the UK could see their energy turned off for hours at a time this winter as the country faces a shortage, experts say. Both gas and electricity supplies could run low, leading to a process called load-shedding.
Mark Nelson, managing director of consultancy Radiant Energy Group, told The Telegraph: "Many developing countries have load-shedding, billions of people know what this means, it's just rich countries have not had to deal with it."
The UK has much less gas stored than other countries - such as France and Germany, and the cost of importing gas from abroad remains high thanks to the war in Ukraine. The Telegraph says the UK’s gas network has been preparing for rationing 'for more than a month', with similar talks in the electricity network.
One insider told the newspaper a national advertising campaigner will be needed to explain to people why there are going to be blackouts, and what action they should take. The Government has been planning action in case of blackouts since May.
If Russia cuts its supply to the EU blackouts could start in December and last for months, says the Telegraph. They say ministers have been told energy rationing may be needed at the start of 2023 between 7am and 10am and from 4pm to 9pm.
Gas-fired power stations could close along with factories that use large amounts of gas.
Mr Nelson said: "People will relearn lots of things about daily rhythms of life before they had central heat or cheap electricity. It's a hard way to live and, as a society, Britain hasn't had to do this for a very long time. Tea will become one of the main sources of warm comfort because it doesn't take that much energy to boil a bit of water for tea."
