Prepare for blackouts, electricity firms warn householders

Non-essential work is put on hold as people told to keep torches and gloves to hand in case of power cuts

HOUSEHOLDS have been warned to prepare for blackouts by keeping torches and gloves nearby as energy networks fight to keep the lights on during the lockdown.

Electricity networks have put in place emergency strategies and all non-essential work has been put on hold.

As people follow the Government’s instructions to stay and work at home they are more dependent on the electricity supply than ever before, it has been recognised.

The National Grid insists that the network has the resilience to cope, but there are fears that high levels of staff sickness and self-isolation rules could result in a shortage of engineers.

UK Power Networks, which owns and maintains electricity cables in the South East, the East of England and London, has written to all customers on its priority services register telling them what to do if there is a power cut.

The advice seen by The Daily Telegraph says people should avoid opening fridge or freezer doors so food and medicine stays cold even if the electricity is off for several hours, and advises households to “keep a torch handy”.

The letter adds: “It’s especially important to keep warm if you are unwell, less mobile or very young. Dress warmly in several layers and have a hat, gloves and a blanket to hand so that you can keep warm. You can also reduce heat loss by closing doors on unused rooms and by closing curtains.”

Vulnerable customers are also warned that they should try to use a corded telephone as “cordless phones don’t work in a power cut” and to keep a power bank to recharge a mobile phone.

Those on the priority register include pensioners, those with children under five in the house, and people with disabilities and chronic illnesses.

Other distributors across the UK are also contacting the most vulnerable.

Prof Keith Bell, a co-director of the UK Energy Research Centre, said data shows that the change in usage during the lockdown is similar to the demand seen on weekends. The University of Strathclyde professor said: “I think where there might start to be some pressure is when you see a lot of staff getting ill or self-isolating. That will have an impact on the workforce and where there are faults that occur we have to hope that we have enough people to respond to that. That might become more difficult as the workforce starts to become more depleted.”

All distributors have taken steps such as separating workers and ensuring that they are following social distancing and hygiene advice.

Prof Bell has suggested they may have to ask engineers and others who have recently left the workforce to return, as has happened in the NHS.

Frank Mitchell, the chief executive of SP Energy Networks, which operates in parts of Scotland, the North West and North Wales, said that staff sickness and the length of time the coronavirus restrictions remain in place were of particular concern.

This is an “unprecedented time of uncertainty and disruption and this is not business as usual”, he warned. SP Energy Networks has put in place measures to “protect supply for critical national infrastructure and public service sites; including hospitals, nursing homes, food supply chain businesses, Ministry of Defence sites and prisons”.

‘We have to hope that we have enough people to respond to faults. That might become more difficult’

This includes checking equipment used to supply the sites for resilience and helping with backup generators.

Some engineers across the country have faced criticism from members of the public who have said that they should not be working. Mr Mitchell reassured customers the work that they are carrying out is essential to keep networks running and they are abiding by social distancing measures.

Electricity North West said some works need to continue or “it may cause longer and more disruptive power cuts in the weeks and months ahead”. Western Power Distribution, which covers the Midlands, South West and South Wales, has said its staff are only carrying out essential works.

Meanwhile, energy companies have called on the UK Government to support a loan scheme worth up to £100million a month so they can offer payment holidays to households and businesses struggling to pay their bills.

Energy UK, a trade body for electricity and gas suppliers, took action after companies reported that customers were cancelling direct debit payments, The Financial Times reported.