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UK householders could face power cuts this winter due to Ukraine war
UK ministers were told that households across the country could face blackouts this winter because of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
As the UK looks at ways to increase energy supplies and extend the life of coal and nuclear power stations, officials in Whitehall said there could be gas shortages in the UK if Russia cuts supplies to the EU.
Under plans drawn up by government, electricity could have to be rationed for up to six million homes at the start of next year, mostly at peaks in the morning and evening.
As the UK looks at ways to increase energy supplies and extend the life of coal and nuclear power stations, officials in Whitehall said there could be gas shortages in the UK if Russia cuts supplies to the EU.
Under plans drawn up by government, electricity could have to be rationed for up to six million homes at the start of next year, mostly at peaks in the morning and evening.
This may cause energy prices to rise again and leave gross domestic product lower than forecast for years to come.
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has approached the owners of Britain’s three remaining coal-fired power stations and asked that those plants stay open, despite plans to close them in September and phase them out by 2024 to reduce carbon emissions.
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Although Britain buys four per cent of its gas from Russia, the EU relies on it for 40 per cent of its supplies. Member states continued to pay Russia hundreds of millions of euros a day since the start of the Ukraine invasion.
It is understood that under plans considering the worst-case scenario that there are concerns about imports of Norwegian gas, upon which Britain is reliant.
Supplies could be cut by more than half because of increased EU demand.
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The UK also imports liquefied natural gas, which is brought into Britain by tankers. These supplies could also been halved because of greater competition.
The model outlined by Whitehall assumes that Britain will receive no imports of gas from interconnectors in the Netherlands and Belgium, as they face their own emergencies.
Britain would then be forced to introduce its gas emergency plans, which would lead to the closure of gas-fired power stations. Heavy industry reliant on gas would be told to stop using it.
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The closure of the plants would lead to a shortage of electricity, forcing the government to ration it.
Supplies would be turned off on weekdays at peak times in the morning, between 7am and 10am, and in the evenings, between 4pm and 9pm. Gas supply to homes would be unaffected.
Source: thenational
