What would happen if there was a power cut? This particular site was so concerned by the potential for the loss of production they had invested in a number of diesel generators. Apparently they wouldn't power the whole site but they would at least keep a basic level of production going.

For those of us who remember the power shortages due to strike action in the 1970s the black-outs today are almost always caused by naturally occurring mishaps or phenomenon such as lightening strikes or perhaps more mundanely workmen accidentally slicing through cables.

When a power cut does take place most places do grind to a halt. Fortunately this is usually only for a few minutes. They remind us of our reliance on electricity. Longer black-outs can result in sending staff home early and the loss of production. No power, no work.

Short of building a windmill on the roof or buying a generator most businesses do not have a plan to cope with this situation. However, with the possibility of snow this winter or future power shortages predicted by those prophets of doom the power companies, perhaps it is not a bad idea to create a plan B.