Electricity priority user arrangements: Proposals to update the priority user arrangements for use during an electricity supply emergency
Starting Date: 20-08-07
Closing Date: 23-11-07
The Government is consulting on the electricity priority user arrangements that exempt certain users from planned power cuts during an electricity supply emergency. These arrangements have not been updated for some time and we want to ensure that they are fit for purpose.
In the extremely unlikely event of a widespread disruption to the electricity supply, rota disconnections (where consumers are cut off in blocks for 3 hours at a time on a pre-planned rota) could be implemented. The priority user arrangements exempt certain categories of consumer from rota disconnections. They do not offer any protection in the event of a disruption to the electricity supply from the more usual causes e.g. severe weather or accidental damage.
The purpose of this consultation is to seek views on the proposals to bring the arrangements up to date, simplify them and improve their effectiveness in protecting those sites where the loss of electricity could have a significant impact on public health and safety.
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