Your Business And The National Grid's Planned Power Cuts
What if the blackouts actually happen?
Posted by Roger Eddowes on 24/11/2022 @ 8:00AM
I've had a couple of clients call me asking about the planned power cuts that National Grid said may happen this winter. These businesses work all hours of the day and night and they're concerned about whether they can continue to operate ...
We can't be sure planned power cuts will happen, so it's worth having a plan for your business, just in case they do!
The National Grid announced that due to diminished gas supplies across the UK due to the war in Ukraine, they may need to implement three-hour power cuts in the late afternoons and early evenings across different regions of the county this winter.
"We can't be sure power cuts will actually happen!"
It depends on several factors, mostly around the weather. If we get a particularly cold spell, the demand for electricity which in part uses gas to generate it will go up. If it's relatively mild then we should be able to manage.
Decisions on when and where power cuts will happen also depend on whether we can get timely LPG deliveries from other parts of the world, and if there is any surplus generating capacity with our partners in Scandinavia and Europe when we need it.
But what happens to a business if there is a planned power cut? Well, for businesses that operate in these targeted hours, work will not be able to continue. Perhaps there are other things employees can do such as stock taking, cleaning, filing, or other activities, although they may be using their mobile phones to light whatever they're doing. If they can, will they be able to work from their homes which may not be in the area that's being affected?
If they are unable to proceed with their usual work duties, then it may be useful to agree paid annual leave with them if you know that a planned power cut is going to happen. Should it occur when they are actually at work and without notice, then this may be more difficult, but forewarned is forearmed so it's certainly worth thinking about.
"Zero-hours workers would be less of a problem!"
There may also be a reason to offer overtime to certain employees who may need to visit the premises to check on alarms, fridges, production lines, and other vital equipment once the power cut has ended.
And be aware that there may also be immediate requests for emergency dependents leave if childcare providers or even schools are forced to close and there is no time to make alternative arrangements.
I feel the National Grid has done the right thing in warning us about potential planned power cuts, so it's worth having a plan for your business, just in case they do happen!
One final thing to consider is that although these planned power cuts are only supposed to last for 3-hours at a time, it is possible that the electricity network could have problems restarting delivery, especially in rural areas where the transformers may be remote. It could be the power cut lasts a lot longer if something fails to restart.
But most of all, please don't panic. These planned power cuts may never happen.
Until next time ...
ROGER EDDOWES Business Godparent
Would you like to know more?
If anything I've written in this blog post resonates with you and you'd like to discover more about the planned power cuts and how they may affect your business, it may be a great idea to call me on 01908 774320 and let's see how I can help you.
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Roger trained at Edward Thomas Peirson & Sons in Market Harborough before working at Hartwell & Co, followed by Chancery, as a partner. He started Essendon Accounts and Tax with Helen Beaumont in 2014 as a general practitioner with a hands-on approach.
Roger loves getting his hands dirty, working with emerging, small-to-medium and family businesses to ensure they receive the best possible accountancy advice. Roger utilises an extensive network of business contacts to leverage the best guidance and practical solutions.
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