Analysis and Environment

Can Britain avoid winter blackouts amid the European energy crisis?

If the electricity supply from the continent ceases, households in England, Scotland and Wales may need to ration their own power use at peak times to keep the lights on

By Madeleine Cuff

6 October 2022

Family sits around a table by candlelight — Electricity supplies to households could be cut for 3 hours at a time this winter in a worst case scenario
Jacques Dayan/Shutterstock

Millions of households in Britain may have to run their washing machines at night or their dishwashers during a mid-morning lull to avoid rolling blackouts this winter.

On 6 October, National Grid ESO, which operates the electricity grid in England, Scotland and Wales, issued a stark winter outlook, warning that electricity supplies to households could be cut for 3 hours at a time this winter if the European energy crisis deepens.

“I’m not aware of there ever having…