Britons 'could be told to lower thermostats and turn off lights' amid blackout fears

There are fears that cuts in supply to Russia via the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline could cause misery for European consumers, with some countries already warning people reduce their energy consumption< /p>

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Contingency plans are being drawn up amid fears of winter power outages, it is claimed.

Britons could be asked to turn off the lights and lower their thermostats to avoid misery in the coming month.

This comes as other European countries are urging their populations to take shorter showers and take energy-saving measures.

Reports tonight claim that national grid bosses have held meetings with energy companies to find ways to avoid power shortages and blackouts.

It is feared that the reduction in supplies from Russia via the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline will cause misery for European consumers.

Large-scale industrial users could also be paid to cut power, it is claimed.

Ministers believe rising prices will see Britons reduce their electricity and gas consumption (

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Documents show the government is considering giving advice to households.

Arjan Geveke, director of the Energy Intensive Users Group, said: "First of all, they'll want to do a public information campaign because it's the least expensive option.

"There is obviously an increased risk of security of supply in winter."

Next month, National Grid will publish forecasts for the start of winter, with bosses expecting it to be a difficult season.

Analysis by consultancy EnAppSys for The Telegraph found there is a risk of power cuts in the UK due to gas supply issues.

But ministers believe rising prices will mean people will use less energy without government intervention.