Reduced gas supplies pose challenges for the UK. The government could order “organized blackouts” as a cost-cutting measure.
Great Britain is preparing for a harsh winter. With gas shortages looming, there could be “organized blackouts” on the island – both in industry and in private households. As Bloomberg reports, this is the latest “worst-case scenario” calculated by the government.
Reduced gas supplies from Norway and France could also necessitate new “emergency measures” to conserve gas in the event of sub-zero temperatures in the UK. On Monday, Norway announced plans to curb its electricity exports in the event of a critical situation.
While the government does not expect the blackout scenario to occur, the Department of Economic Affairs, Energy and Industrial Strategy said. Households, businesses and industry could rely on enough electricity and gas being available for the time being, it said. But they want to be forearmed.
Electricity bills worry Britons
Rising electricity bills are also worrying Britons. According to a recent analysis by consultancy Cornwall Insight, the price cap set by energy regulator Ofgem for an average household is expected to rise to 4266 pounds (5052 euros) a year in January, the analysts said.
One initiative is already urging consumers not to pay their energy bills. “Don’t pay, UK” translates as the campaign’s slogan.
If the winter gets particularly cold, the UK would have to rely increasingly on gas supplies from continental Europe. A dilemma, because the country has little capacity to store gas.
the main source of the news: https://www.berliner-zeitung.de
