Power outages, or blackouts, have been discussed as a potential prospect this winter as the energy crisis continues.

As reported by The Metro, the National Grid has said it believes its winter supplies are "adequate" but if the electricity supply is put under too great a strain then power outages would be required.

The way in which it would be decided what order the power outages go in is based on the Government's Electricity Supply Emergency Code document, which was last updated in 2019.

This system means that blackouts are staggered throughout the day and vary in length depending on the severity of electricity shortages.

News Shopper: Blackouts are considered an unlikely scenario that people would end up facing this winter (PA)Blackouts are considered an unlikely scenario that people would end up facing this winter (PA) (Image: PA)

In total there are 18 levels of timetable the Government could go through, with the 18th level being a week-long blackout, although it is unlikely that even Level 1 should be needed.

What times would power outages hit your home?

Properties are labelled with a letter from A to U which determines what power block they are in.

You can find out what one your home is in by looking for one of your energy bills, which should have a letter in a box near the top of it.

Each one will take a turn in losing power in the emergency code plan, so that it is spread out.

Additionally, each day of the week is split up into eight periods which determines what three hour slot the power block would have a blackout.

News Shopper: The Level 1 timetable for power outages (Gov.uk)The Level 1 timetable for power outages (Gov.uk) (Image: Gov.uk)

The time slots start at 00:30 to 03:30 in the morning and conclude with 21:30 to 00:30.

For example, a property in block C at a Level 1 scenario would lose power between 12:30 and 15:30 and 21:30 to 00:30 on a Monday as well as between 09:30 and 12:30 on Wednesday.

The number of outages would increase per week if the level of disconnection goes up.

News Shopper: Timetable for a Level 2 disconnection (Gov.uk)Timetable for a Level 2 disconnection (Gov.uk) (Image: Gov.uk)

Some facilities are excluded from power outages as protected sites, such as hospitals, banks, some key railways and major food warehouses.

The level and length of disconnection would be determined by the Energy Secretary under guidance from his department’s Emergency Response Team (ERT).

To see the full list of scenarios you can look at the Government Electrcity Supply Emergency Code document here, from pages 17-35.

READ MORE: BBC prepares 'secret plan' for potential winter blackouts

How likely are winter blackouts?

Currently, power outages are still a worst case scenario, as the National Grid believes its stocks are sufficient for the winter.

Additionally, The Metro reported: "If blackouts do become necessary, they may be even milder than the Level 1 disconnections outlined in the official emergency code.

"National Grid chief John Pettigrew this week said any outages would probably be limited to ‘between 4pm and 7pm in the evenings on those weekdays when it’s really, really cold in January and February’."