A message system could be launched this winter to tell people to stop using too much energy amid fears of winter blackouts. The Government is said to be discussing plans to try to avoid power going off for homes across the UK.
According to The Guardian, ministers are planning an information campaign that will tell people to cut back on the amount of energy they are using - and to try to run appliances at night when demand is lower. Discussions are reported to be under way between the business department, energy companies and network operator the National Grid.
Ministers are said to be looking at using the National Grid's text alert system to urge people to reduce their energy use. It would be part of a public information campaign designed to ease pressure on the nation's energy system by getting people to cut back.
Ofgem said there was a “significant risk” of gas shortages this winter because of the war in Ukraine. As well as being used in homes, some of the UK's electricity generating power stations burn gas.
People could be paid to reduce the amount of energy they use - a system that has been trialed by Octopus energy. National Grid will set out its winter plans on Thursday - which will include an update on the risk of blackouts.
Fears of blackouts raised earlier in the year have been made worse after Norway said it was prioritising domestic power over supplying foreign countries with gas. A Russian gas pipeline which supplies Europe was sabotaged last week.
Government analysis showed the UK could experience power cuts for four days this winter if the weather is severe.
Other countries have started taking action to reduce energy use - with Germany banning hot showers and France telling shops to turn off their lights and people to wear warm jumpers.
The business secretary, is reportedly negotiating deals with two gas exporting countries, Qatar and Norway. The government has also signed deals with power generators to keep their coal-fired operations on standby this winter.
