Britons are arming themselves with everything from generators to thermal underwear as they brace for rolling blackouts caused by the broader energy crisis in Europe.
Grid operators in the United Kingdom warned last week that residents could face pre-planned, three-hour power cuts this winter if they cannot import enough electricity or gas this winter to sustain the grid amid hours of peak demand.
“In the unlikely event we were in this situation, it would mean that some customers could be without power for pre-defined periods during a day — generally this is assumed to be for three-hour blocks,” the U.K.’s National Grid Electricity System Operator said in its annual Winter Outlook.
And consumers’ fears are reflected in their shopping habits: Compared to the same period in October 2021, generator sales in the U.K. have soared by a whopping 203% in the first 11 days this month, Reuters reported, citing data from British building material retailer Toolstation. Meanwhile, sales of torches, known as flashlights in the United States, have also spiked by 43%.
Staying warm is key — another element reflected in shopping data released by British department store John Lewis. The retailer reported last week that its sales of thermal underwear had more than doubled compared to the previous week.
Sales of candles, gloves, heated blankets, and duvets also climbed, it said.
“Although it’s far from certain that the National Grid will have to resort to blackouts this winter, it’s clear customers are preparing for this worst case scenario,” a Toolstation spokesperson told Reuters, noting the generators can be used to power equipment such as lamps and fan heaters.
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Others are hoping to lower their monthly soaring energy payments by cutting out their use of the oven. Cooking appliances such as crockpots, air fryers, and sandwich makers rose more than 52% in September compared to the previous month.
Supplies to the U.K. will be limited due to the energy crisis in the European Union caused by Russia’s war in Ukraine. Though it received a far smaller amount of its gas from Russia, the EU’s supply concerns have spilled into the U.K. as well, driving prices further and making it harder for Britain to secure gas from outside suppliers, such as the U.S. and Qatar.
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“The potential for a shortfall in gas supplies within continental Europe could have a range of knock-on impacts in Great Britain, creating risks around the ability of [Great Britain] to import from continental Europe,” the U.K.’s National Grid’s Gas Transmission said in its own winter report.
