Who needs a standby generator?
Below is a list of the most common uses for a standby generator:
1. Small office in remote location, dependant on electricity for it’s telephones, PCs and internet connection.
2. Small workshop, requires electricity for powertools, lighting, vehicle lifts PCs etc.
3. Home office- PCs, Lighting telephones, internet etc
4. Home- requires electricity for heating (gas or oil fired central heating boiler), fridge, freezer, PC, lighting, TV, etc.
Basically anywhere in a rural location is quite likely to suffer power cuts, from storm or extreme frost or snow damage to overhead lines. This winter, as the aging electricity generating grid is put under ever increasing pressure to match the ever increasing demand for power, the likelihood of planned rolling power cuts have never been greater.
The government are obligated to decommission the older, more polluting power stations to meet EU legislation on green house gas emissions.
In the mean time, due to the government’s lack of action, there is going to be a wait of several years before we have new eco friendly power generating stations built with reduced emission levels.
This is where the problem lies.
We have a reduced electricity generating capacity, which is also more dependant on the importation of LNG from potentially unstable sources.
Add to this the ever increasing demand for electricity and we are heading for a shortage of power.
How will this effect you?
In the event of the demand exceeding the supply, the available electricity will be rationed.
This will be done in the shape of rolling power cuts. For example, your area may have the electricity supply cut for 6 hours a day from 1000h to 1600h, whilst the neighboring area will have theirs cut from 1600h to 2200h. If you are trying to run your business or home office during these times, you will have to have a standby generator.