The UK could forget about the festive illuminations if the government doesn’t start a power distribution plan soon, a former adviser has warned (Image: UK Press/Getty Images)

Some experts fear that millions of households could face a Christmas blackout if ministers don’t immediately order power rationing in Britain.

The country is facing a “critical” winter shortage because the government is too afraid to order its citizens to cut consumption, according to a former government energy adviser.

They said the worst-case scenario of an urgent shortage of “war games” was necessary and MPs would need to use an “army” of workers to implement an urgent program of insulation and efficiency in country houses, he added.

Adam Bell, former Director of Energy Strategy for 2021 in the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, said:

“But this is a crisis. Now is absolutely the right time for governments to give people the information they need to make decisions to protect their families and reduce their overall energy needs.”

Bell, of consultancy Stonehaven, added that ministers were “absolutely not doing enough”, adding: “If the public is not educated on how best to reduce demand, it will increase the likelihood of supply problems,” he warned. .

Homeowners should be advised to turn down thermostats, reduce boiler flow temperature, and install scratch insulation.

Guy Newey, energy adviser to Greg Clarke when he was Secretary for Business and Energy, said:

He called on the government to send an “army of trained professionals” into people’s homes to “identify where heating needs can be reduced” and install maximum insulation. .

LONDON, UK - DECEMBER 10: Christmas lights illuminate the tree as night falls at the Houses of Parliament in Westminster on December 10, 2018 in London, England. He is believed to have postponed a crucial vote on Theresa May's Brexit deal. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Britain is urged to follow European precedent by lighting public buildings and protecting national reserves (Image: Getty Images)

Newey, chief executive of Energy Systems Catapult, believes “security of supply risks are certainly increasing” and “needs a national effort that reflects the scale of the crisis.”

Tom Edwards of consultancy Cornwall Insights said: “The risks to security of supply become real during the cold, quiet winter months”, adding that insulation and efficiency are “urgently needed” and promoted.

Parts of Europe have already taken steps to reduce energy demand, such as turning off lights in public buildings, but Whitehall has so far rejected such measures.

The UK government has repeatedly insisted that the UK’s “secure and diversified energy supply ensures that homes, businesses and industry have the electricity and gas they need”.

Despite public discontent, officials are said to be unofficially planning chaos and a controlled lockdown to keep supplies home.

Analysts say the risk of blackouts is the highest in decades, as electricity production that relies on gas could be affected by Russian supply cuts.

Energy imports are also threatened in Norway and France.

Industry regulator Ofgem is due to announce next week that electricity prices will rise 80% from October to £3,576 a year.

In a worst case scenario, the bill could rise to £4,704 in January and £5,856 for the year in April.

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