The UK is being warned that the hot weather strains infrastructure and makes power cuts more common than usual.
The country’s households have been sent “prepare now” text alerts warning them to be ready.
Advice has been issued which includes keeping torches, battery radios and phones ready.
Those with medical needs are directed to call 105 or use the Priority Services Register.
The Met Office issued a yellow thunderstorm warning for Northern Ireland for Tuesday, August 4, 2026, noting that short-term loss of power and other services is likely across six counties due to heavy, thundery showers and strong, gusty winds.
Electricity North West also listed seven active faults affecting 246 properties in North West England.
The problem is not confined to the UK, as Europe-wide strains continue due to record-low Danube levels pressuring power generation.
Hungary’s Paks nuclear plant is running at 240 MW (down from 2,000 MW) with a full shutdown described as likely.
Romania’s Cernavoda is at half capacity with one unit shut and Serbia’s hydro output is at 20%, with residents urged to limit heavy power consumption.
Authorities in Hungary, Romania and Serbia have activated conservation steps, including curbs on electric freight trains and reduced air conditioning.
Separately, power rationing measures have been implemented in parts of Southeast and Eastern Europe including Hungary, Poland, Moldova and Romania.
Romania has been particularly hard hit. It has moved from warnings to emergency action. The government has declared an energy sector “state of alert” and asked major industrial users to cut consumption immediately. Automakers Dacia and Ford have suspended vehicle production until August 19, 2026. Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan said these shutdowns lowered national demand by about 200 MW on the morning of August 3, 2026. The situation is tied to grid stress and market imbalances.
The European Commission is continually monitoring the situation.
The UK is signalling elevated power cut risks from heat and storms while neighbouring European systems cut output and ration power, conditions that can tighten regional supply and heighten price and blackout risks.
