Winter energy crisis: ECA advice for managing power cuts
Leading electrotechnical and engineering services body ECA has promised to support its Members who may be asked to design and install emergency power systems in the event of emergency power cuts this winter.
Energy providers and National Grid have warned of potential power cuts caused by supply fears following the war in Ukraine. Worst-case government scenarios estimate that energy systems could be severely disrupted for up to a week.
ECA Senior Technical Manager Gary Parker said:
“Because of an unprecedented combination of factors including surging demand, supply concerns, and a cost-of-living crisis, our Members and their clients are facing a tough winter.
“ECA has seen an uptick in Members asking for advice and help reviewing their clients’ systems and recovery plans. We are here to support Members with advice and guidance on how to best design and install additional and stand-by systems that can meet their clients’ needs.
“It is important to remember that the UK’s electricity network is one of the most reliable in the world. However, we must be prepared for all eventualities, and the electrotechnical sector will be on the front line if emergency power cuts do occur.”
Those deemed most at risk for the effects of power cuts over the winter include pensioners, care home residents, and people in sheltered housing, schools, and other buildings which may not have energy contingency plans in place.
Electrical designers and installers are encouraged to visit ECA’s Technical website, where Members can access a wide range of technical guidance notes, bulletins, and the ECA Technical helpline, at eca.co.uk/technical.
This article was issued as a press release and appears on the ECA Today website as "Winter energy crisis: ECA’s advice for managing power cuts" on December 8, 2022
--ECA
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
Building Safety recap January, 2026
What we missed at the end of last year, and at the start of this...
National Apprenticeship Week 2026, 9-15 Feb
Shining a light on the positive impacts for businesses, their apprentices and the wider economy alike.
Applications and benefits of acoustic flooring
From commercial to retail.
From solid to sprung and ribbed to raised.
Strengthening industry collaboration in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Institute of Construction and The Chartered Institute of Building sign Memorandum of Understanding.
A detailed description fron the experts at Cornish Lime.
IHBC planning for growth with corporate plan development
Grow with the Institute by volunteering and CP25 consultation.
Connecting ambition and action for designers and specifiers.
Electrical skills gap deepens as apprenticeship starts fall despite surging demand says ECA.
Built environment bodies deepen joint action on EDI
B.E.Inclusive initiative agree next phase of joint equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) action plan.
Recognising culture as key to sustainable economic growth
Creative UK Provocation paper: Culture as Growth Infrastructure.
Futurebuild and UK Construction Week London Unite
Creating the UK’s Built Environment Super Event and over 25 other key partnerships.
Welsh and Scottish 2026 elections
Manifestos for the built environment for upcoming same May day elections.
Advancing BIM education with a competency framework
“We don’t need people who can just draw in 3D. We need people who can think in data.”
Guidance notes to prepare for April ERA changes
From the Electrical Contractors' Association Employee Relations team.
Significant changes to be seen from the new ERA in 2026 and 2027, starting on 6 April 2026.
First aid in the modern workplace with St John Ambulance.
Solar panels, pitched roofs and risk of fire spread
60% increase in solar panel fires prompts tests and installation warnings.
Modernising heat networks with Heat interface unit
Why HIUs hold the key to efficiency upgrades.

























Comments
[edit] To make a comment about this article, click 'Add a comment' above. Separate your comments from any existing comments by inserting a horizontal line.