New grid rules let UK operator trigger rapid, rotating power cuts

Britain's electricity system operator can now impose short-notice, rotating blackouts affecting up to a fifth of demand in a region, under rules approved this week.

A set of revised grid-code provisions, approved by the industry regulator, gives the national electricity system operator the ability to initiate short-notice, rotating power cuts affecting more than a fifth of electricity use in a designated area. The operator can issue three-hour blackouts with only eight hours’ notice to stave off a total system collapse, a capability that does not require emergency government powers.

The changes follow whistleblower allegations that senior leaders tried to hide blackout risks during a recent heatwave. A spokesperson emphasized that the measure would be employed only in the most extreme and unlikely circumstances after all other options have been tried. Certain critical facilities, including hospitals and water-treatment plants, will be excluded from any planned cuts. The new protocol bridges the gap between existing short-term curtailment powers, unused since the 1970s miners’ strikes, and the broader emergency code that the energy secretary can invoke for prolonged outages.