Really quite concerned about energy blackouts.

[User63683783736363]

Anyone else? If they actually happen. Hopefully it's just the media scaring us, I try and stay away from the news.

before anyone tells me in being hysterical, please hear me out. I know that all of us are in the same boat but..

I have two dc, both with sen. No power would be hell on Earth if it's the evenings. We had a power cut last night due to bad weather, it was stressful. They need routine. DS is petrified of the dark. We have torches and candles but it's still not ideal.

as well as this I'm concerned about how cut off we will be. Live in the middle of nowhere, don't get phone signal indoors at home so we rely heavily on the internet, wi-fi calling and even now our landline is plugged into our router after having a letter from BT to tell us to do so, so it's not like we can even use an old wired landline.

would mobile phone masts go out in a blackout? Sorry if I sound clueless , we don't get indoor signal but do get outdoor - but I can't sit outside for hours just in case someone needs to contact us.

I have two vulnerable relatives and worried they won't be able to get through for whatever reason!

again, sorry if sound ott. I wasn't too worried but after our power cut last evening for several hours, it got me worried.

Correct.

What about if its over lunchtime? So worrying

Mainly worried that my mother wouldn’t be able to go to bed, or worse be in bed when the air pressure mattress goes down - you’re not allowed to sleep on it. Can solve most other things if they’re planned and I can go stay. However, a lot of people have equipment that literally risks their life and / or wellbeing in cuts and I do wonder what the general advice will be for cases such as these.

What about if its over lunchtime? So worrying

They will manage.

Not sure what you mean. I expect those schools that are due a powercut over lunchtime will tell children to bring in a packed lunch on that day.

Yes, that's true.
I'm just catastrophising I think

This isn’t correct. Being on the PSR won’t affect your power. You will still get the cuts.

Yes it does. V is protected so it must be in the same area as something protected like a hospital or a sewage plant

Think there is actually a water work's within 0.5 miles

I know that I will get a whole load of replies telling me I am wrong here but the root cause of all this is privatisation of energy in the UK.

Prior to privatisation there was a general consensus that there was a 25% surplus capacity above peak demand yet last winter there were times when there was only 2%.

During 2020 and 2021 many mothballed power stations (coal and oil) all over the country were blown up to save money.

Some of these had been mothballed for over a decade yet it suddenly became "urgent" to demolish them just before COP21.

Also, there is no incentive for energy companies to build new power stations as they cost a lot of money and it takes a long time to get a return on that investment.

The new nuclear power stations that Boris talked up a lot will be owned by private companies yet public money has been channelled into them through various schemes and loans.

The current situation situation is not "an accident" or "a crisis" for the Government as every action they have taken has guaranteed the absolute mess that we are in.

@User63683783736363 try and find out why bt advised you to plug your landline into the router because you might be able to switch back to traditional landline

Emergency power cut lightbulbs. Available on amazon

Just spent 15 mins working out I'm block unit C, my brother in another county is also C, my mum is E, (and only 20 mins away) my workplace is K, etc

I feel like this is the new version of "so I'm a Virgo, what star sign are you?"

Hmm, I've just checked my son's primary school. It's V. My daughter's secondary school is M.

Maybe they're not planning on turning off primary schools power?

It’s just coincidence I’m afraid.

Forgive my migraine-riddled mind but what exactly do you mean by 'war gaming?!'

Planning for potential emergency scenarios

@Era Thanks ever so much for answering. Much appreciated 😊

How can you check what block other areas are? Im an S but found that on my bill how do i find out what my childrens school is?

Jeez this Country would be in pieces after 7 days without power!

I wonder if they war gamed the looting & rioting that would no doubt happen!

All our public services are on the edge of collapse as it is!

I've got battery lights, a power pack, plans for a luxury cheeseboard if I can't cook anything but bloody hell 7 days without power & it would be like the Walking Dead! 😨

Www.powercut105.com

put in the postcode

The country is already in pieces

Well I’m hoping I get a discount on my bloody standing charge if they cut my power of for 3 hours at a time…somehow I doubt it…

Luckily we are campers and have quite a bit of kit we could use, might be worth us looking at a generator. I have head torches, a camping stove & gas, I do now have a list of things to sort this weekend so they are easily accessible just in case. We are also lucky we have a log burner so will be able to keep warm (this is good as we have electric heating no gas as we live quite rural) kids will just have to stay up till 9.30 and wrap up in warm blankets.

If these blackouts do happen not convinced they will it’s always worth being prepared.

As someone born in the 70s I can assure you it really is no big deal. You just need to be organised with torches, a full phone battery (assuming networks won't be down), and a camping stove with kettle. Only use candles in the hurricane holders, for safety reasons. I've already got a log burner, so heat isn't an issue, but make sure you have some big thick blankets. If dark is an issue just all make camp in the living room.
I've been thinking about saving the pennies for a solar panel and battery combination.

Lemoo agreed - badly worded! 😕

It's extreme but some people might need to do this...if things get really really cold for people, if you have a tent then set it up indoors. You'll be heating a much smaller area so could use it in thr sitting room for chilling or for sleeping if really desperate. Alternatively, might make sense for those with pets who need a warmer room to be in.