Experts warn of energy rationing in UK this winter
Sept 3, 2022 19:27:27 GMT -5
Post by maybetoday on Sept 3, 2022 19:27:27 GMT -5
Life in Blackout Britain: Experts warn energy rationing this winter could see people told not to cook until after 8pm, pubs close at 9pm, 'three-day-a-week' school, care homes cancel outings for residents and swimming pools left unheated
Energy rationing 'very possible' for the UK this winter, Kathryn Porter, energy consultant at Watt-Logic said
Homes, hospitals, schools, businesses and councils will have to reduce gas and electricity use, it was warned
Millions could be asked to avoid cooking and using appliances in peak evening hours until after 8pm
Liz Truss last night ruled out the idea, but energy expert said 'you either have rationing or you have blackouts'
By MARTIN ROBINSON, CHIEF REPORTER and ELEANOR BLAKE and ELENA SALVONI and STEPHEN MATTHEWS and MARK DUELL FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 10:38 EDT, 2 September 2022 | UPDATED: 15:15 EDT, 2 September 2022
The scale of energy rationing that may be required at home, in the NHS, schools, care homes, shops, pubs and on the streets of Britain because of surging energy prices and the threat of blackouts is laid bare today.
Experts have told MailOnline there is 'no escape' for the 66million people in the UK who will be encouraged to cut their use of gas and electricity this winter and even turn off the lights when the wind drops.
Kathryn Porter, from consultancy Watt-Logic, fears that the crisis will cost lives in the coming months and told MailOnline: 'We should keep our fingers crossed for a warm and windy winter'. Ms Porter has said that it's 'very possible' the UK will see plans for energy rationing, despite Liz Truss, the likely next prime minister, absolutely ruling it out, but the energy expert added: 'It would be voluntary, asking people to make a small sacrifice to avoid blackouts'.
Today it emerged that Britons could be asked to limit energy use this winter to head off blackouts by avoiding using gas and electricity at peak times in a move that will hit every part of life.
At home people may be encouraged not to use washing machines, dishwashers and ovens between 2pm and 8pm while charging cars before 9pm is also not advised when similar measures were imposed in the US this year. Abandoning the family weekday dinner at 6pm or the Sunday roast at 5pm may be required and moved to after 8pm or swapped for a cold dinner or leftovers.
The NHS Confederation has predicted that the solution for the health service will 'have to be made up by fewer staff being employed, longer waiting times for care, or other areas of patient care being cut back'. NHS England guidance says staff must turning off equipment and lights and better control temperatures in hospitals and surgeries.
Schools have even discussed three-day weeks and classes could be combined to reduce the number of rooms that require heating each day.
While care homes are being forced to take drastic action to absorb soaring living costs such as reducing menu options, using washing machines less and cutting down on entertainment and outdoor trips for elderly and vulnerable residents.
Pubs are already turning out the lights as soaring energy bills hit the ailing hospitality sector - with last orders at 8.30pm and closing by 9pm, food service being stopped and skeleton teams running venues to avoid financial ruin. Beer gardens are even being shut at night to save costs.
And councils may choose to copy Germany where street lights are being dimmed, traffic lights at quieter junctions are turned off, hot water and central heating is off in public buildings and monuments will no longer be lit overnight. UK municipal swimming pools could be made colder to reduce heating bills.
These are the areas of British life that may be hit by rationing and the fight to save costs:
Continued at link
Energy rationing 'very possible' for the UK this winter, Kathryn Porter, energy consultant at Watt-Logic said
Homes, hospitals, schools, businesses and councils will have to reduce gas and electricity use, it was warned
Millions could be asked to avoid cooking and using appliances in peak evening hours until after 8pm
Liz Truss last night ruled out the idea, but energy expert said 'you either have rationing or you have blackouts'
By MARTIN ROBINSON, CHIEF REPORTER and ELEANOR BLAKE and ELENA SALVONI and STEPHEN MATTHEWS and MARK DUELL FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 10:38 EDT, 2 September 2022 | UPDATED: 15:15 EDT, 2 September 2022
The scale of energy rationing that may be required at home, in the NHS, schools, care homes, shops, pubs and on the streets of Britain because of surging energy prices and the threat of blackouts is laid bare today.
Experts have told MailOnline there is 'no escape' for the 66million people in the UK who will be encouraged to cut their use of gas and electricity this winter and even turn off the lights when the wind drops.
Kathryn Porter, from consultancy Watt-Logic, fears that the crisis will cost lives in the coming months and told MailOnline: 'We should keep our fingers crossed for a warm and windy winter'. Ms Porter has said that it's 'very possible' the UK will see plans for energy rationing, despite Liz Truss, the likely next prime minister, absolutely ruling it out, but the energy expert added: 'It would be voluntary, asking people to make a small sacrifice to avoid blackouts'.
Today it emerged that Britons could be asked to limit energy use this winter to head off blackouts by avoiding using gas and electricity at peak times in a move that will hit every part of life.
At home people may be encouraged not to use washing machines, dishwashers and ovens between 2pm and 8pm while charging cars before 9pm is also not advised when similar measures were imposed in the US this year. Abandoning the family weekday dinner at 6pm or the Sunday roast at 5pm may be required and moved to after 8pm or swapped for a cold dinner or leftovers.
The NHS Confederation has predicted that the solution for the health service will 'have to be made up by fewer staff being employed, longer waiting times for care, or other areas of patient care being cut back'. NHS England guidance says staff must turning off equipment and lights and better control temperatures in hospitals and surgeries.
Schools have even discussed three-day weeks and classes could be combined to reduce the number of rooms that require heating each day.
While care homes are being forced to take drastic action to absorb soaring living costs such as reducing menu options, using washing machines less and cutting down on entertainment and outdoor trips for elderly and vulnerable residents.
Pubs are already turning out the lights as soaring energy bills hit the ailing hospitality sector - with last orders at 8.30pm and closing by 9pm, food service being stopped and skeleton teams running venues to avoid financial ruin. Beer gardens are even being shut at night to save costs.
And councils may choose to copy Germany where street lights are being dimmed, traffic lights at quieter junctions are turned off, hot water and central heating is off in public buildings and monuments will no longer be lit overnight. UK municipal swimming pools could be made colder to reduce heating bills.
These are the areas of British life that may be hit by rationing and the fight to save costs:
Continued at link