The blackouts in North America which hit 50 million people over 9,300 square miles over several days have prompted warnings that Britain could face a 'dark' winter.
Government energy adviser Professor Ian Fell, also an adviser to the World Energy Council, warned: "A blackout could happen here. I have come to the conclusion there is a 20% chance of power cuts next winter."
Professor Fell said that over the last few years that energy companies were making no profits to invest back into the system and build extra power supplies. This means capacity to cope with a surge in demand caused by a bad winter or hot summer is falling.
Professor Fell said: "National Grid have themselves said on record if we have a cold winter they cannot guarantee supplies of electricity. "You have to have a ghastly problem, such as in the US with 50 million people walking to work, before anyone pays attention."
The same company that runs and owns Britain's National Grid also owns the part of the US grid which is suspected to have crashed.
The Department of Trade and Industry said an assessment would take place to examine what implications the blackout could have on the UK system.
uSwitch.com, the independent utility comparison service, is warning consumers to switch to a cheaper electricity provider now or face higher utility bills as we approach autumn. It is predicting that the only way the industry can cope with the demands is to increase revenue is by hitting consumers hard in their pockets - with price hikes.
Andrew Salmon, managing director at uSwitch.com, said: "If the current situation is as dire as the experts are predicting, then the only way we foresee a kick-start to the utilities sector would be from increased revenue for power companies, and as we have seen in the past, the quickest and easiest ways to generate extra revenue is by increasing prices.
He added: "Since 1998 consumers have had the choice of switching suppliers and saving money. If they haven't yet switched, this warning should be a wake-up call and spark them into action."
If prices do rise this winter, it will not be the first electricity hike this year for many providers. uSwitch.com research has found that in the past year over half the energy providers* have increased their prices.
As one of Tiscali's partners uSwitch.com provides a free online price comparison and advisory service which enables consumers to compare gas and electricity supplier tariffs, switch suppliers online and save on household bills.
By entering their home postcode and a few details about their usage consumers can see how much they can save. Find out how much you can save now.
* Based on 14 electricity providers.
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