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Automatically translated version. May contain inaccuracies compared to the original.
Great Britain is preparing for one of the most dangerous emergency scenarios — a large-scale blackout that could paralyze the operation of the whole country. If such a development occurs, millions of people risk being left not only without electricity but also without water supply, mobile communications, and the Internet. For this, the BBC has developed a special emergency broadcasting plan that will allow critical messages to be transmitted to the population even in conditions of a complete outage of main communications.
In the United Kingdom, preparations are being intensified for possible large-scale disruptions to critical infrastructure. The scenario is called Black Sky, or “Black Sky,” in which a prolonged power outage could trigger a chain reaction of failures in other essential services.
According to the BBC, British authorities and the public broadcaster have developed mechanisms intended to inform the population even in the event of a large crisis.
The country could be left without light, water, and the Internet.
The Black Sky scenario envisions an emergency situation where widespread problems in the energy system lead to disruptions in other critical services.
In particular, a prolonged blackout could cause interruptions to water supply, mobile communications, Internet access, and banking operations.
Also at risk are the operation of shops, transport, ATMs, and payment terminals.
One of the main problems in such a situation could be the lack of access to reliable information.
That is why Britons are betting on a technology that has existed for decades — the ordinary FM radio.
BBC is preparing a special studio to operate without electricity.
According to the British broadcaster, in the event of a catastrophic blackout an autonomous broadcasting system is planned.
About 100 BBC staff will ensure the operation of the special emergency studio.
It will have independent communication channels that will not require Internet access.
Stocks of water, food, and fuel should be enough for at least three days of autonomous operation.
To transmit signals, they will use radio towers with diesel generators, which can also operate for about 72 hours.
Communication between journalists and emergency services will be maintained via satellite phones.
There are even backup communication mechanisms in case satellite communication becomes unavailable.
The population will be instructed on how to survive without water and electricity.
If the emergency plan is activated, BBC will broadcast pre-prepared government messages.
They will contain practical instructions for meeting basic needs.
In particular, people will be instructed on how to use limited supplies of drinking water, how to store food, and how to maintain sanitation.
Some recommendations will concern situations where water pumps and sewer systems stop working due to the lack of electricity.
The choice of FM radio is explained by its ability to operate independently of mobile networks and the Internet.
With a working battery-powered receiver or one charged by hand crank, people will be able to receive important messages even during a large-scale power outage.
Britons are advised to build up supplies for 72 hours.
Against the backdrop of emergency preparedness, authorities in Britain urge citizens to prepare in advance for a minimal set of essential items.
In particular, they recommend having at home:
• drinking water for at least three days;
• non-perishable food;
• flashlights and spare batteries;
• charged power banks;
• cash in case ATMs are out of service;
• a battery-powered FM radio or one charged by hand crank.
Such supplies are meant to help people endure the first 72 hours of an emergency without needing to seek help immediately.
Why Britain is preparing for a large-scale blackout
The issue of energy security has become especially relevant after a series of major outages in Europe.
In particular, in April 2025 year, significant power shortages affected Spain and Portugal, demonstrating how vulnerable modern energy systems can be.
Additional risks include cyberattacks, extreme weather events, and technical failures of critical infrastructure.
At the same time, British authorities emphasize that preparations for the Black Sky scenario do not mean an imminent large-scale blackout in the near future.
They are preventive measures designed to ensure the functioning of the state and access to information for the population even under the most challenging circumstances.
Thus, the United Kingdom aims to prepare for a situation in which ordinary technologies may fail simultaneously, and the most important source of information for millions of people will be a simple radio receiver.
As a reminder, StopKor previously reported that 7 in November in parts of Ukraine would apply hourly electricity outages around 2 to 4.
Document: PDF proof of the original version of the news item "72 години без електрики та інтернету: у Великій Британії розробили план на випадок катастрофи". It records the publication content at the moment of the first scan, the preservation date and the source: NARDEP 24.
