The government has decided not to conduct a public information campaign on decreasing energy consumption this winter after objections were expressed by the office of the prime minister.
According to a source, there is a “fairly well-developed plan” to encourage residential energy conservation.
But Climate Minister Graham Stuart refuted a Times allegation that Downing Street had blocked a campaign.
Despite a National Grid warning of blackouts, he stated that the UK’s energy supply was safe.
Its statement on potential power outages was predicated on the worst-case scenario of gas shortages if Europe’s energy crisis worsens.
The Department of Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) was investigating measures to urge homes to turn off their appliances and heating whenever possible throughout the winter to preserve energy.
The department was prevented from moving through with the idea due to objections from the prime minister’s office and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).
DHSC sources stated that they did not believe they had played a specific role in any decision, but that there may be widespread “fear about seniors being reluctant to put on their heating.”
According to the Times, Downing Street’s intervention occurred on Thursday, when National Grid issued its warning.
More than 40 percent of the nation’s electricity is generated by gas-fired power plants, which are primarily reliant on natural gas.
National Grid stated that in the “unlikely” case that gas supplies ran extremely low, households and businesses in the United Kingdom could experience three-hour blackouts.
According to the government, National Grid has developed plans to introduce a voluntary service that will reward customers who cut use during peak hours.
Mr. Stuart stated that he was “confident the government has done everything possible” to ensure that energy rationing will not be required this winter.
However, he continued, “We plan for all possible outcomes.”
During her candidacy for the leadership of the Conservative Party, Prime Minister Liz Truss promised that there will be no energy rationing this winter.
Thursday, when asked if she could promise there would be no blackouts, Ms. Truss responded, “The United Kingdom has a robust energy supply.”
BEIS stated in a statement, “There are no intentions for the government to instruct the people to restrict energy consumption to preserve our energy supplies.
“The United Kingdom has a robust and diverse energy system, and we are convinced that the measures we are implementing will safeguard the reliability of electricity and gas supply.”
In response to a request for comment, Mr. Stuart stated there had been conversations inside BEIS, but he confirmed there would be no government-led campaign to encourage consumers to limit their usage, stating, “it has been decided there will be no campaign.”
Mr. Stuart further denied that a well-developed campaign had been planned and subsequently thwarted by the team of the prime minister.
National Grid wishes to be able to lower peak energy consumption in the United Kingdom if a shortage is imminent.
This winter, beginning in November, there will be 12 trial days where customers who have signed up through their energy suppliers will be asked to limit their energy consumption at specific times of the day.
They would receive a day’s notice before being requested to perform this task.
In exchange, they would be compensated for consuming less energy. National Grid has not yet determined how this will operate but has stated that during the trial period, subscribers may receive £10 each day.
National Grid will announce additional information later this month, and users will be able to join up beginning November 1 if their energy providers are participating in the plan.
The Times stated that the prime minister had rejected proposals for a £15 million public information campaign, which had been approved by the business secretary, Jacob Rees-Mogg.
It implied that Ms. Truss was “ideologically opposed” to the campaign out of concern that it would be excessively intrusive.
Wednesday addressing the Conservative Party conference, the prime minister stated that her conservatism is about “freedom.”
She stated, “I will not tell you what to do, how to think, or how to live your life.”
Some ask if a campaign is necessary when so many individuals are already altering their behavior and conserving energy whenever possible.
However, people who are familiar with a campaign claim they can not comprehend the reasoning behind its blocking. “Slightly baffling,” they claim.
Guy Opperman, a member of the Conservative Party, stated in a tweet that he would “totally support” an energy-saving program that would assist individuals and the government saves money.
“This is not a nanny state,” he said, adding that it was about “conserving supply, saving money for all, and promoting localism.”
Stew Horne, the head of policy at the non-profit Energy Saving Trust, stated that the government must investigate ways to lower consumption this winter to improve energy security.
He stated that the European Commission has just announced measures to cut peak demand in EU member states by 5 percent. To cut energy demand, the usage of central heating will be curtailed in Italy, and householders have been advised to lower their thermostats.
Mr. Horne stated that he would “welcome discussion of comparable measures to enhance energy security.”
The invasion of Ukraine by Russia has generated upheaval and volatility in the energy markets, sending fuel costs soaring and reducing the global oil and gas supply.
As a result of Russia’s restrictions on gas exports, countries across Europe are scurrying to stock up on supplies in advance of winter.
Since assuming office, the government of Ms. Truss has sought to increase energy security, lifting the prohibition on fracking for shale gas in England last month and launching a new oil and gas exploration licensing cycle on Friday.
This is a result of the government’s energy assistance program, which aided individuals with skyrocketing energy costs.
