UK’s energy crisis response could include winter power cuts

A government source insisted a ‘worst case scenario’ of power blackouts was highly unlikely to occur. Photograph: CW Images/Alamy

Businesses and even consumers could face blackouts this winter under government crisis plans as concerns grow over power supplies, it has emerged.

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 to leave the country short of power.