If the UK fails to secure electricity imports from continental Europe, it will have to resort to restrictions on its supply. The local electricity transmission operator National Grid has warned of an adverse scenario for this winter.
The UK does not want to join the rationing system
In the media, British Prime Minister Liz Truss called on continental European countries not to restrict electricity exports to the Islands. Her cabinet is thus increasing pressure on European states to avoid the need to proceed with a rationing system for electricity supplies. Liz Truss has previously ruled out rationing electricity, or rather, she does not want to allow it.
Power cuts cannot be ruled out
But the energy situation in Europe is serious, as French nuclear power plants are still not delivering as much electricity as they could due to ongoing maintenance. “In theory, if we were in a situation where there was not enough electricity, we would have to interrupt the supply for predetermined periods of time. In general, we anticipate this would be three hours per day,” said UK electricity network operator National Grid in its outlook for the coming winter. At the same time, however, he described such an option as unlikely.