UK MINISTERS have been warned that as many as six million households could face blackouts this winter due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Government is looking to bolster electricity supplies by prolonging the life of coal and nuclear power stations.
Speaking to The Times, a source has said that the government’s “reasonable” worst-case scenario, drawn up by officials across Whitehall, says widespread gas shortages could occur if Russia continues to cut off supplies to the EU.
A Whitehall source said: “As a responsible government it is right that we plan for every single extreme scenario, however unlikely.
“Britain is well prepared for any supply disruptions. Unlike EU countries, our North Sea gas reserves are being pumped out at full pelt, Norwegian rigs are directly connected into the UK, and we have the second-largest LNG import infrastructure in Europe – whereas Germany has none.”
However, a minister has suggested that electricity could potentially be rationed for as many as six million homes at the beginning of next year, mostly at peak times during the morning and evening.
The curbs could last more than a month, therefore causing energy prices to rise again and leaving GDP lower than forecast for the years ahead.
UK Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has written to the owners of Britain’s three remaining coal-fired power stations asking them to stay open for longer than originally planned.
They were meant to close in September as part of plans to phase them out by 2024 in a bid to reduce emissions.
The Whitehall source added: "Given the EU’s historic dependence on Putin’s gas, the winter could be very hard for countries on the continent.”
The worst-case scenario which has been drawn up is understood to have concerns over Norwegian imports of gas due to increased demand from the EU.
Shortages would force Britain into implementing its own emergency plans which could potentially lead to the closure of gas-fired power stations whilst heavy industrial users of gas would be told to cease using it.
Officials are said to have also created a strategy in the event that Russia cuts off gas entirely to the EU which suggests blackouts could start in December and last for three months on weekdays and weekends.
Concerns remain that gas prices will remain high as the war between Russia and Ukraine continues.
