Back to the Dark Ages: National Grid raises the spectre of blackouts this winter

Homes could be plunged into darkness this winter as the nation faces the shocking prospect of power cuts.
The warning, following the release of grim industry figures yesterday, will dredge up memories of the last electricity crisis in 1974.
Then, households had to manage with candles, factories were put on short-time and TV broadcasts ended at 10.30pm.
The figures from the National Grid suggest that the country could be crippled by energy shortages when the colder weather bites because there is so little spare capacity.
The loss of only one of our 38 biggest power stations at times of high demand could lead to breaks in supply, bringing factories to a halt and leaving many homes in darkness.
'We should be very worried - this is reaching national crisis proportions but the response is piecemeal and inadequate,' said the industry watchdog

Read more...

So then we sell all our nuclear power generating capacity to the French EDF, so when winter strikes and the french havent got enough spare capacity they will then take ours!

A great deal for Britain !

The great nuclear sell-out: Our only atomic power giant falls into foreign hands - and you'll pay the price

Britain's only nuclear power company is being bought by the French in a £12.5billion deal likely to trigger a huge rise in electricity bills.
By buying British Energy, EDF - which is 80 per cent owned by the French government - will take control of the UK's eight nuclear power plants and build at least four super-size reactors.
The deal gives EDF enormous power in setting future prices because it will supply some 30 per cent of the country's electricity.
The purchase of British Energy means yet another large UK company will fall into foreign hands.
Four of Britain's 'big six' energy suppliers are controlled by hugely wealthy and powerful overseas utility giants.
There have been suggestions that they are quick to impose price rises on British consumers while protecting those in their home countries.

Read more...

'Pickpocket' foreign fuel giants 'ripping off' Britons to keep energy bills down in Europe

Foreign energy firms have been accused of 'picking the pockets' of 11 million British customers while capping price rises in their home countries.
French-owned EDF has announced a 22 per cent rise in gas bills and 17 per cent on electricity for its 5.5million UK users.
At the same time, it has secretly raised gas prices for some of its most vulnerable customers by as much as 75 per cent.
The increases are in stark contrast to the situation in France.
EDF has been told by the government there to cap its increases on electricity to just 2 per cent and gas to 5 per cent.
There are fears the company, which is part-owned by the French government, is looking to protect its profits by imposing punishing increases on UK families

Read more...