UPSL discusses UK's power supply

Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPSL) says that power protection is becoming increasingly important for the UK's future electricity generation capacity.

The cold winter months have seen several conflicting reports about the UK's electricity generation capacity come to light.

Government and related agencies have been trying to maintain confidence whilst delivering a realistic outlook for the coming years.

UPSL says that recent statements have made clear that things are likely to get much worse before they get better, referring to Ofgem's statement late last year revealed wide spread power cuts could be expected within the next four years, returning the UK to the three day weeks not seen since 1970s.

Combining this also with stern warning through The National Grid's decision to cut off industrial users on interruptible gas contracts, to give priority to domestic supply, and it is clear harder times could already be upon us.

Big companies such as British Sugar and Vauxhall's car plant at Ellesmere Port, have just experienced cut off, forcing them to turn to oil-fired generators.

This and other recent examples of the fragility of the National Grid demonstrates the potential problems facing UK business, as David Bond, UPSL's managing director, explains: "The clear message to come out of these statements and events is that businesses must take their own precautions when it comes to power protection and safeguarding their critical applications".

"The alternative is to be prepared for a fluctuating supply as well as potential blackouts, brownouts and disconnection rotas".

"While renewable energy is developing at an increasing rate, UK investment has been slow, especially when compared with other European nations".

"This means until a viable and consensual energy plan emerges, trusting that the 'generation gap' will be bridged remains a high risk strategy.

The UK's aging power stations are also a cause for concern says UPSL, with faults and safety issues leading to partial or complete shutdowns, nuclear reactors forced to run at less than full power, and others nearing or already at the end of their service life.

Combined with inadequacies in the distribution infrastructure, thousands of firms every year already endure power cuts and fluctuations, causing loss of business and adversely affecting sensitive IT systems and electronic equipment.

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