Rolling Power Cuts Could Put Lives At Risk, Charities Tell National Grid

Alarm at impact on vulnerable if shortages lead to UK blackouts | Rolling power cuts this winter put thousands at risk, say health charities

- Andrew Gregory Alex Lawson Patrick Butler

Rolling power cuts to be enforced this winter if gas supplies run extremely low could endanger thousands of people whouse life-saving machines at home, health leaders have warned.

They spoke out after National Grid said yesterday that households might experience three-hour electricity outages this winter to manage extreme gas shortages, for example if Russian supplies are shut off and cold weather sends demand soaring.

Such an event would mean consumers in different parts of the country being told a day in advance of three-hour periods during which their power would be cut off.

The government has resisted calls for a public information campaign to encourage consumers to cut back on energy. However, the Guardian understands that in the wake of the National Grid announcement, officials will direct people to trusted sites for energy-saving advice.

The prospect of rolling power outages prompted alarm, with particular concern for patients who rely on electrical devices to stay alive and healthy. Laurie Cuthbert, a director of Kidney Care UK, said thousands of adults and children depended on a constant source of power to provide life-saving dialysis at home.

“This is very energy intensive as for some people this treatment takes place several times every day for shorter periods, and for some this takes place every day, or overnight, for up to eight to 10 hours a time,” he said. Any interruption to the power supply would put the treatment-itself at risk, and if people on dialysis miss too many sessions in a row then their lives will be at risk.”