Could Brits be hit with blackouts - how to prepare
In its Winter Outlook for 2025/2026, the National Energy System Operator (NESO) reported the strongest electricity margins in six years. While 'tight days' remain a possibility during extreme cold snaps in December and January, the risk of enforced blackouts now is at its lowest level since 2019.
Rather than the broad three-hour outages discussed during the 2022 crisis, the grid now relies on a 6.1GW buffer (equivalent to 10% of peak demand) and advanced balancing tools to manage supply without interrupting household power.
While the 2022 energy crisis was sparked by the sudden loss of the Nordstream 1 pipeline, the 2026 landscape is defined by Europe’s successful transition away from Russian gas.
Through the REPowerEU initiative, the UK and EU have replaced pipeline reliance with a robust network of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminals and expanded storage.
As of 2026, UK gas security is bolstered by steady baseload supplies from Norway and the North Sea, alongside expanded regasification capacity that has decoupled the British grid from previous geopolitical vulnerabilities.
How to prepare for a blackout
Check smoke alarms: If you have a mains-powered smoke alarm check if it has a battery backup and if the battery still works. Jonathan Rolande, of the National Association of Property Buyers, said: “If in doubt, buy battery alarms, which cost about a fiver, and install at least one on each floor of your home. Power cuts do increase the chance of fire so this is vital."
Food, fridge and freezer: Think about what you can eat during a power cut. They are likely to be between 4pm and 7pm so you'll need to think about dinner. If you have a gas cooker or gas camping stove, plan a simple dinner such as pasta and sauce. If you don't have access to gas it may be worth keeping some boiled water or hot soup in flasks so you can have a hot meal. The hot water could be used for instant noodles or a cup of tea, for example. It is thought that any blackout should be announced in advance, giving you time to prepare food.
Charge your phone: Keep your mobile phone charged up where possible but more importantly consider buying a power bank and charge it up in advance so you have access to a charging point. A power bar that has more than one phone charge in it will cause less stress than the cheaper, smaller ones!
Keep warm: The blackouts are likely to be in the coldest months of the year so make sure you have something to keep warm like a blanket or warm clothing.
Fill your car: Some petrol stations can't operate during a power failure, according to SP Energy Networks, so consider making sure your vehicle has a decent amount of fuel just in case.
Lighting: Do you have torches and do they work? Do you need more batteries, or candles? You can buy wind-up torches which are handy for an unexpected power cut, and there are now rechargeable light bulbs that you can even screw into lamp shades and give off light for about six hours on a full charge. If screwing into a light fitting, just make sure the light is turned off at the switch ready for when the power comes back on. Alternatively, just use it as a source or light anywhere in the room.
Mr Rolande added: "Make sure you know where they are and consider leaving one by the front door, and another by the bed etc in case power is lost unexpectedly."
If using candles, keep away from children.
Switch off appliances: There is the risk of a power surge when electricity comes back so switch off everything unnecessary, especially sensitive items such as computers and fish tanks. It's worth keeping one thing plugged in or one light switched on so you know when power has returned.
The 2026 contingency plan has evolved beyond fossil fuel 'standby' measures. On September 30, 2024, the UK officially closed its last coal-fired power station, Ratcliffe-on-Soar, making the grid entirely coal-free for the first time in 140 years. To manage rare periods of peak stress, the NESO now utilizes a 'Smart Grid' approach: prioritizing high-speed battery storage, which has seen a record capacity increase, and using international interconnectors to import clean energy from France and Denmark when domestic renewables are low.
The Demand Flexibility Service (DFS) has evolved from an emergency winter tool into a year-round 'Smart Incentive' program. In 2026, the service is permanently active, rewarding over 4 million participating households for shifting energy use (such as delaying EV charging or laundry) during 'Flex Events.'
Rewards are now more personalized: while some suppliers offer direct bill credits of £5–£15 per event, others provide 'points' that can be exchanged for retail vouchers or carbon-offsetting projects. Participants with smart appliances can even automate their savings, allowing their devices to react to grid signals without manual intervention.
To do your bit, and save money, have a look at our 11 ways to save on your energy bills.