A winter blackout warning issued by the National Grid on Thursday detailed how households could face three-hour power cuts this winter.
The UK could be hit with large-scale blackouts this winter due to a combination of gas shortages and cold weather. The National Grid - the gas and electricity supplier for Scotland, England and Wales - has said Russia's invasion of Ukraine led to an "unprecedented turmoil" in the energy markets.
There are three possible scenarios where the power cuts would occur according to the operator's emergency plan. While National Grid have said that blackouts are "unlikely", here's what could happen in the coming months.
1. Planned three-hour blackouts
Europe, which is highly reliant on Russian gas, is suffering an energy crisis after the Kremlin suspended supplies in retaliation to western sanctions. The crisis could lead to a knock-on effect in the UK with the potential for blackouts this winter.
In a scenario the National Grid dubs 'unlikely', people would be given a days' notice before a three-hour power cut in a process known as rota disconnection. Households would be alerted through text message similar to when outages occur due to maintenance work.
The strategic cuts mean electricity would be shut off at different times in different areas with a frequency dependent on the severity of the supply shortage.
2. More power cuts amid a cold winter
Cold weather could lead to shortages as more people turn on their heating. If hit by a front of freezing temperatures, the UK may need to turn to foreign gas imports even more.
The National Grid says a cold snap like the 2018's Beast from the East or the freezing winter of 2010-2011 means gas from continental Europe "may be required to achieve a supply-demand balance".
Prime Minister Liz Truss has so far resisted calling on households to reduce their electricity use.
3. Households could be paid not to use power in peak times
You could sign up to be paid not to use electricity during high demand times under a new scheme.
The gas and electricity operator introduced its "innovative" Demand Flexibility Service on Thursday. The opt-in service would run from November to March and pay households with smart meters about £10 a day.
Households would receive a text asking them to only use electricity when there is less demand - typically after 7pm - putting a pause on washing machines and dishwashers during select hours.
4. Payments to larger businesses paid to reduce demand
The National Grid is also offering larger businesses a chance to join the scheme. Firms would similarly be incentivised to change the times of their energy use or rely on batteries or generators in peak times.
5. Network operators to protect vulnerable people
Vulnerable people, including those who rely on life-saving electrical machines, would be put at risk during power cuts.
Whilst hospitals would be exempted during blackouts under the plan, charities have expressed alarm about the consequences of rolling power cuts to vulnerable people at home.
Network operators will be tasked with ensuring these customers but the details have yet to be spelled out, as reported by the Mirror.
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