Millions of households could face power cuts this winter because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, ministers have been warned.
Power cuts could hit as many as six million households this winter in a “reasonable” worst-case scenario drawn up on predictions if Russia cuts off more supplies to the EU.
The UK Government is drawing up plans for rationed electricity if supply issues deteriorate according to a modelling report seen by the Times newspaper.
The paper reports that limits could be imposed on industrial use of gas, including on gas-fired power stations, causing electricity shortages.
As a result, six million homes could see their electricity rationed, primarily during morning and evening peaks, in curbs that may last more than a month.
Worse modelling is reported for a scenario in which Russia cuts off all supplies to the EU.
A spokesperson for the Department of Business said the UK had “no issues” with either gas or electricity supply and they were “fully prepared” for any scenario even those that are “extreme and very unlikely to pass".
“Thanks to a massive £90 billion investment in renewable energy in the last decade, we have one of the most reliable and diverse energy systems in the world,” the spokesperson added, “and unlike Europe, we are not dependent on Russian energy imports.”
Technology minister Chris Philp said: “I think what the business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng did last week was take some sensible precautionary measures to guard against a potential worst case scenario.
"He asked the three remaining coal fired power station operators to just keep their power stations available beyond the point of which they were due to be switched off.”
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