Following the National Grid's warning of possible three-hour blackouts, organisations across the county are starting to make plans to prepare the worst. The electricity and gas utility company warned that blackouts could occur if power plants are not able to get enough gas to keep them running, which could be "a big problem" for Nottinghamshire businesses.
Colin Wilde, managing director of Castle Rock Brewery, which has multiple pubs across Nottinghamshire, said: "Clearly it would be a big problem for us in terms of all the electronics and heating and gas systems to keep our pubs warm. It would be a big problem for us if it were to happen in the middle of a big beer brew in particular.
"As it stands at the moment we are scheduling to have a few further conversations about it happening, really hoping that it doesn't, but trying to move our operations if the lights were to go out and for how long. Clearly there's the issue that if it was for extended periods of time, then we've got the problems of stock loss from freezers defrosting and things like that, so that would be very worrying for us.
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"I suppose overall it just adds to a very difficult worrying time. There's not much we can do if it goes out we just need to minimise our losses and try and make as high of a service that we can give to our customers."
The National Grid provides 43% of Britain's electricity through it's gas fired power plants, with households consuming a fifth of their daily energy between 4pm and 7pm, according to Ovo Energy. Due to the expected increase in gas demand this winter, households are being asked to help avoid blackouts by using energy at off-peak times.
The National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO), which oversees Britain’s electricity grid, has said households and businesses might face planned three-hour outages to ensure that the grid does not collapse.
The Government is planning for blackouts but it is an “extremely unlikely scenario”, according to Nadhim Zahawi. Prime Minister Liz Truss said she is expanding a public information campaign to save energy this winter. The Prime Minister said on Wednesday that the Energy Secretary is working on a plan to advise people and businesses how to “use energy more efficiently”.
Dan Masters, general manager of George's Great British Kitchen on Queen Street, said: "I mean obviously it is concerning, but I would hope that they would do it out of business hours, so maybe in the middle of the night or something.
"We just wouldn't be able to trade without electricity. I have heard that they are asking people to sign up and you might get like £10 a day for households, so I'm hoping enough people do that to let the businesses stay open."
Owner of the cafe Tuckers on Friar Lane, Rudi Cafhman, added: "I don't think it would affect us very much as we open until the middle of the day, 7 until 2. So unless it was in the middle of the day I don't think it would affect us."
UK households could be paid if they signed up to use energy at non-peak times, such as by putting a washing machine or other electrical appliances on at night rather than in the early evening. Larger businesses could also be paid for reducing demand, such as by adjusting their times of energy use or switching to generators during peak times.
If blackouts went ahead for the first time in decades, this could could also affect public spaces and organisations, in addition to households and businesses. Nottinghamshire councils have spoken about the possible impact on them, and many are in discussions of plans of operation if blackouts were to occur.
A Nottingham City Council spokesperson said: “In the extremely unlikely event of power outages, we would be able to continue to power our core buildings since they are connected to our district heating turbine, not the national grid. We also have battery storage at a number of operational sites, meaning stored power could be used to maintain key services.”
A Rushcliffe Borough Council spokesperson added: “We’re aware of the wider national discussions around possible black outs and have a well-formed and regularly reviewed business continuity arrangement in place. We will continue to work closely with partners on this and other key topics to ensure there is a co-ordinated response across the Borough and County.”
Similarly, a Gedling Borough Council spokesperson said: "As part of our Emergency Planning, we are always refreshing our processes, which includes updating our risk register to ensure we are prepared for any eventuality. We are working with our colleagues at Nottinghamshire County Council specifically around a review of our emergency and business continuity plans.
"This review will include looking at the impact, if any, that different scenarios would have on our services.” However, whilst council's are preparing for every scenario, they are not worried.
A spokesperson for Broxtowe Borough Council said: "Currently we are not concerned that potential blackouts will affect our services or residents. However, we do have business continuity plans in place so that we are prepared for any eventuality."
A Mansfield District Council spokesman added: “If a blackout happened, a major incident would be declared at county level through the Local Resilience Forum structure. This would result in a Tactical Coordinating Group and Strategic Coordinating Group being called to coordinate a multi-agency response across the county.
"There is a county Major Incident Plan already in place for responding to blackouts that would then become operational. At a local level, Mansfield District Council would put business continuity plans into operation.”
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