While the risk is low, as part of this country-wide planning process, the University has convened a working group to consider the measures the University would need to take in the event of any planned power outages affecting our campuses and to lead the development of University-wide plans that would enable us to mitigate the impact as far as possible.

The power outages would be planned, and communicated in advance by the Government, and may only impact certain areas of the country at any one time. The planned outages would be undertaken to reduce demand on the power network, minimising the risk of more widespread, uncontrolled power outages occurring. The early months of next year are likely to be the most critical periods.

The Academic School Deans and Directors of Professional Services have been asked to consider the extent to which the activities they undertake on a daily basis would be affected by planned power outages, and to consider any key risk periods over the coming months.

The Working Group is also liaising with other organisations that may be impacted by any power outages here, including the Students’ Union, and the businesses and organisations based on the Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park (LUSEP) and on other areas of the campuses.

If we need to activate the University’s plans, we will provide all those on our campuses with as much notice as possible and clear instructions about the measures everyone should take in preparation for, during and after the outage.