More Doom and Gloom about Blackouts
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Just been reading this,
Britain is at “significant risk” of gas shortages this winter because of Russia’s war in Ukraine and undersupply in Europe, the energy regulator said.
Ofgem said there was a possibility that Britain could enter a “gas supply emergency” in which supplies to some gas-fired power plants could be cut off, stopping them generating electricity.
Time to stock up on candles, solar lights and coal. Luckily enough we have a working chimney but most of neighbours have either fitted gas fires or blocked them up.
Have you taken any measures to be prepared?
SarahfromLeeds How many candles would you actually need to be able to get a heat and how do you cook your dinner using candles.
pato Would'nt cook using candles lol I would warm myself up by wearing layers of clothing and would eat snacks for the time being lol. Don't know you got heating and cooking from using candles from lol
SarahfromLeeds It was more tongue in cheek based on your reply, and the fact that I use gas to cook and and also for the heating, never mind, maybe next time. 
elliemarie884 I don't think so either, I was only joking, I'm not likely to try and cook the Sunday roast with a tea light.
pato It would be great to do a full Sunday roast on tea light candles. Think we would end up doing that stuff soon if they keep rising prices up. Might up end taking 3 days but it would be cheaper lol
SarahfromLeeds On the plus side, I think I might have some gas left for the barbecue, so I'll keep a hold of it and maybe have my Christmas dinner in the garden.
Deffo be stocking up on tealights lol, always got to be prepared. Thanks for the heads up
I have sorted A camping gas fire and some bio ethanol burner. Just in case, do not think I will need them but you never know.
I am lucky to have an open fire but to be honest it is no cheaper as you can easily use a bag of coal/logs in a day plus kindling.
My chimney was blocked up years ago… I feel like getting a lump hammer and opening it up again !!!
Already have plenty of things to help survive. Best still, I’ll just spend more time in the office
Our oil boiler won't work without the electricity supply and I don't think I have enough tea lights to keep us warm. 
I've heard warnings about this for ages. We can't use candles due to our sons heart condition, we don't have a fire either. I'm sure we will figure something out.
MrsCraig You can get cheap LED lights on Amazon which are quite handy and are battery operated
I've been noticing that my energy's running out faster than before, unsurprisingly. This is worrying me.
And I've turned almost all off.
I was at Sainsbury's today and the newspapers were all about blackouts.
If it happens, I'm just worried about my fridge and its contents. 
PhilipMarc You don't have to worry about that . All fridges and freezers these days are designed to hold the temperature at a safe level for at least 12 hours . So no problem with a 3 hour power cut.
Not a reason to turn them off though as they will use the same amount of electricity to cool them down again . The compressor (the motor that uses electricity) only runs for about 8% - 12% of the time as those who have smart meters may have noticed ?
PhilipMarc we had a power cut due to some workmen recently. We were without electricity for 4-5 hours and the freezer contents were fine, even the ice cream.
This is all scaremongering, you have more chance of the lights going out through a strike. The UK from what I’ve previously read doesn’t get its gas from Russia.
I don’t have much faith in the regulator who main concern is usually the profits of the energy companies as oppose to consumers
Perhaps you should read more ? We import a fair whack of our electricity (via cables) from Europe (Norway , Belgium and France ) . Because of a dry year Norwegian Hydroelectric is way below capacity , France has 2 Nuclear power stations currently out of action and because of the gas shortage throughout Europe electricity is also in short supply as it will be required for heating/industry in lieu of gas . Basically the reason why energy prices have shot up over the last few months .
I also believe that it is unlikely the 3 hour cuts will occur unless we have a particularly harsh winter - but best to be forewarned , thus forearmed .
Hope you found that informative and quite beyond the control of the regulator ?
good point and fair comment. Obviously no one wants power cuts but we need to plan just in case.
Let's just suppose blackouts do happen, what could occur? Everyone just in their own home/apartment under a blanket, right? Well, I'd hope so, but if you look at Venezuela they had blackouts before and there were massive lootings.
People say that won't happen and yet lockdowns did, which were essentially just home arrests for everyone even though we didn't commit any crimes.
jdible In case it happens, try to block the door with something thick and hard so there's no unexpected guests in the middle of the night.
You never know.
We have always limited the amount of lights we have on around the home. I recently purchased a solar lamp and that works really well in the evening plus I have always used candles.
it will go off at diffrent times for diffrent areas for 3 hour blocks. you can go 3 hours without hot food and heating..
that will tell you when if it happens..
Most can cope for several hours but not all. The vulnerable who rely on life support machines ar home must be very worried.
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