Britain faces serial power cuts in next decade, warns expert - Telegraph

Prof Ian Fells, emeritus professor of Energy Conversion at the University of Newcastle, said the country will lose a third of generating capacity in the next twelve years as old nuclear and coal fired power stations close down.

With the current politicial situation making it difficult to rely on imported gas or oil, he said Britain will face regular power cuts lasting long enough to delay operations in hospitals, close down schools and bring cities to a standstill.

Ultimately he said the situation would lead to economic downturn and mass unemployment.

The founding chairman of the Renewable Energy Centre, said addressing the looming energy crisis was a more serious challenge than climate change.

A Pragmatic Energy Policy for the UK (by Professor Ian Fells and Candida Whitmill; 52-page PDF)