Millions of households may be asked to ration how much energy they use to avoid blackouts, an expert is warning.
Households across Britain could face four days of blackouts this winter as the Government prepares for cold weather gas shortages.
Consultancy Watt-Logic's Kathryn Porter said consumers could be requested not to use power at peak times, or to cook meals at different times to normal.
They may be asked to do this during calm periods with little wind - as it means less power coming from renewable energy.
Speaking to the BBC, Porter said: "Unfortunately, as each winter goes by, the risk of blackouts is increasing because we have been replacing thermal and nuclear generation with intermittent renewables.
"That makes us vulnerable in times when wind output is low.
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"We have had quite low wind output in July and August... Demand is a lot higher in the winter, so if we have those weather conditions in the winter, our system is going to get very tight and that raises a risk of blackouts."
In US states such as Texas and California this is already common practice.
Porter added: "It is possible we will see something similar here this winter.
"I think it would be more an appeal or request for people to have their dinner earlier or later, or avoid using large appliances like washing machines during peak hours.
"I think it would be voluntary rather than compulsory."
The news comes as one in seven older people say they may not turn on their heating this winter due to the cost of living crisis.
A YouGov poll revealed the shocking figure as pensioners face a choice of keeping warm or eating.
It also found 61% of over-65s will reduce the amount of heating they use, 19% plan to eat less.
But 79% of those quizzed in the poll for Independent Age feel No10 is not doing enough to help them combat the cost of living crisis.
The charity is sending a letter to Tory leadership candidates Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak calling for action to prevent a rise in excess winter deaths.
And it fears the crisis could be as deadly as the pandemic.
It warns: “The cost of living crisis is having a dire impact on older people living in, or on the edge of, poverty, and the worst is yet to come.
“Every day, our helpline is hearing from and offering support to increasingly larger numbers of older people who are making incredibly tough choices… skipping meals, turning the lights off and vowing they can’t afford to turn the heating on again this year.
“We are hurtling towards a devastating winter where many in later life will be forced to make dangerous cutbacks on basic essentials such as heating and food. We are very concerned this will lead to more older people dying this winter."
