According to the National Grid, in 2010, the UK used 286TWh of electricity. Independently audited figures found that the reliability of the electricity transmission was 99.99%, and the average annual availability was 94.76%. Yet despite having what seems to be a reliable power supply, the UK is on the brink of having to intoduce rolling blackouts. By 2015, nine of the UK's oil and coal-fired power plants and four nuclear power plants are due to be shut down. This, coupled with increasing demand for power, has led the Government to predict widespread power cuts; by 2017 it is predicting an energy shortfall of 3,000MWh per year. And by 2025, this shortfall is expected to double, which could lead to power rationing. While they wait for the Government to increase grid capacity, which, incidentally, Ofgem says will take £32bn of investment over the next 10 years, IT and risk managers need to ensure they have an effective standby power system in place to protect their equipment against power failures that may happen in the meantime. At UPS Systems, we specialise in the specification, supply and maintenance ofuninterruptible power supplies (UPS) and generators to create best-fit bespoke standby power solutions for our clients and customers. We have access to the widest selection of products on the market today and a completely independentvendor-neutral ethos, allowing us to create truly best fit, bespoke uninterruptible power systems. To find out more about standby power systems, or to talk to someone about your requirements, please call 01488 680 500.