FEATURE KEEPING THE POWER ON


Power cuts remain an ever-present threat throughout winter. What can organisations do to protect themselves against seasonal outages, asks Russell Pritchard, UK Sales Manager at Central Power Services.


Seasonal power cuts are a familiar challenge for facilities managers, but with winter weather becoming more severe, the risks are rising. In January 2025, the Met Office issued a number of alerts for snow, ice, and heavy rainfall, warning areas across the UK of the likelihood of power cuts.


As winters become increasingly unpredictable, the ever more frequent harsh conditions are increasing the risk of major disruptions to the power network. A lot of the UK’s power is delivered through power lines particularly in rural or remote locations that can be knocked down in strong winds, and substations that can be flooded in heavy rainfall.


Organisations can protect against seasonal outages, but ensuring power continuity through the colder months takes planning and consistency.


Embedding power resilience Power cuts can affect businesses of all sizes and sectors and their consequences can be substantial, not only impacting short term operations, but also potentially having wider and longer term financial, reputational and even safety repercussions.


However, the best line of defence against a power outage starts long before bad weather hits. The key is to be proactive in putting a plan in place on how to protect a business and ensure the continuity of critical operations in the event of the mains grid going down.


The starting point should be conducting a comprehensive risk assessment. This helps to identify critical systems that must stay operational in an outage and allows for an understanding of what the backup power solution might be.


It’s advisable to collaborate with a power experts to develop a robust back-up power solution that’s tailored to the specific needs of a business.


Making sure your back-up system is


ready for action A common misconception is that simply having a back- up power solution in place will guarantee protection from power cuts. However, much like any other complex piece of machinery, regular maintenance and testing is essential, and without it, a system may fail at the most crucial moment.


The cold weather can have an adverse effect, particularly on generators. The oil becomes thicker, making it harder for the engine to start. Lower temperatures also reduce battery performance, draining them more quickly, and some will deliver less than half their usual current. Fuel can also 'gel' in the cold, clogging lines and filters as the paraffin wax crystallises.


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Best practices to prepare To reduce these risks, generators should be tested monthly at a minimum, ensuring the moving parts are properly lubricated and that the generator is ready for action when needed. Regular inspections should be conducted to check for any issues such as leaks, worn-out components, or fuel blockages. Any parts showing signs of cracks, age or wear should be replaced immediately.


“A common misconception is that simply having a back-up power solution in place will guarantee protection from power cuts.”


Monitoring the health of the generator’s battery is also crucial. Any that show signs of wear or hold reduced charge should be replaced to avoid any issues when the power goes out.


It’s also important to check the fuel and oil levels, ensuring that there is enough to last extended outages. Stale fuel should be replaced, and oil should be changed regularly to prevent any buildup.


In addition, generators require good airflow to function properly, so they should always be placed in well- ventilated areas, and vents should be checked to make sure they are clear of any debris like snow or leaves. This provides optimal combustion and reduces the risk of overheating.


Training staff is another priority. Anyone holding responsibility for operating and maintaining the generator should be thoroughly trained to become familiar with the backup system and ensure they can quickly act and troubleshoot in an emergency.


Finally, if possible, it’s wise to test the generator during milder weather. This allows for better access to resources and support, so any issues can be resolved before the backup is needed.


Powering through winter Power cuts are a looming threat through winter, with proactive planning, regular maintenance, and reliable backup power systems in place, organisations can ensure continuity even in the harshest conditions, no matter what the weather brings.


www.central-power.co.uk twitter.com/TomorrowsFM


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