The UK could experience planned blackouts over winter (Picture: Getty Images)

Millions of Brits have been warned to prepare for possible blackouts this winter.

Concerns about the problem have been simmering across Europe since the beginning Vladimir Putin’s war with Ukraine, and they have continued ever since with worries there could be a shortage of energy over the coming winter months.

Earlier this year, the National Grid Electricity System Operator issued its bleak ‘winter outlook’ report detailing the scenario that a shortage of gas could mean ‘planned interruptions of electricity supply to businesses and households.’

Since then, the grid warned that in the ‘unlikely’ scenario of there not being enough gas, some areas could face three-hour planned outages.

When you will be affected will depend on which power block your home fits into, but what is a power block and how do you find out yours?

What is a power block?

Power in Britain is provided by a handful of suppliers which all divide their power distribution into power blocks.

The UK’s electrical grid could experience power shortages (Picture: Getty Images)

There are 18 of these blocks which work like postcodes, assigned to an individual area.

Each power block is assigned a letter between A and U, except for the letters F, I, and O, which are not used.

If the UK experiences planned blackouts, your power block tells you when your house will be affected.

Not every house in one area will be in the same power block so an area isn’t in a complete blackout at the same time.

Areas will be assigned a letter, which correlates to when you can expect a blackout (Picture: Getty Images)

Charts created before the current energy crisis show how different power blocks would be affected by blackouts.

The graphs show if your home comes under block A, you would be hit by a blackout on Mondays at 12.0am to 3.30am, Wednesdays 3.30pm to 6.30pm, and on Sundays from 12.30am to 3.30am.

Other power blocks will not be affected.

How can you find out which power block you are in?

You can find which power block you belong to by looking for one of your energy bills, which should have a letter, often boxed, located near the top.

You can find out your energy block from your provider (Picture: Getty Images)

Note that not every energy supplier will include your load block on your energy bills, so if this is the case you will need to contact them directly to find out.

There are many ways to find out who your energy provider is if you’re unsure.

MORE : Could there be blackouts in the UK and when would they be?

MORE : What is a blackout and when did the UK last have one?

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