June has brought the UK a dramatic mix of soaring temperatures and sudden, violent storms. From scorching heatwaves in the South to fierce thunderstorms and flash floods sweeping across towns like Poole, Bournemouth, and Manchester, the weather has once again exposed the vulnerabilities in our power infrastructure.
While many of us marvel at lightning shows or seek shelter from torrential downpours, these extreme weather events are a growing threat to homes, businesses, healthcare providers, and data centres alike. And when the power cuts out, sometimes for hours, what’s left standing are the systems prepared with robust UPS systems (Uninterruptible Power Supplies) and reliable UPS batteries.
This month’s outages are a wake-up call. In a climate of increasingly unpredictable weather, UPS maintenance and power continuity planning are no longer just best practices; they’re business-critical.
Let’s take a look at what’s been happening this June and how these real-world events highlight the urgent need to invest in resilient backup power systems.
Thunderstorms knock out power in Poole & Bournemouth
Over the weekend of 14–16 June, a powerful thunderstorm system swept across southern England, unleashing intense lightning strikes, gale-force winds, and torrential downpours of up to 50 mm in just a few hours. In coastal hubs like Poole and Bournemouth, dramatic lightning bolts illuminated the storm-lashed sky, and one bolt even hit a local electrical substation. The result? A cascade of power outages and wide-scale disruption.
Substation Fires Add to Power Grid Uncertainty
But storms aren’t the only threat. A recent fire at a National Grid substation in west London caused major disruptions, cutting electricity to thousands of homes, grounding flights at Heathrow Airport, and shutting down parts of the London Underground.
The blaze, believed to have started due to an electrical fault, highlights the fragility of our power distribution systems. This wasn’t just a one-off event: a similar fire in Maida Vale also occurred this year, leading to evacuations and prolonged power outages across the area.
These incidents underscore a growing issue: as energy infrastructure ages and faces mounting stress from extreme weather and increased demand, the risk of failure rises. UPS systems offer critical insurance in the face of these unpredictable disruptions.
Heatwave warnings and grid strain
June baked under its first intense heatwave of 2025 – with temperatures soaring to 32–34 °C across southern and eastern England. The Met Office and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued amber and yellow alerts, urging caution for vulnerable individuals and warning of increased demand on critical public services.
Beyond the health risks, soaring temperatures placed immense pressure on the UK’s energy infrastructure:
- Power line inefficiency: Elevated temperatures lead to conductor expansion, sagging, overheating, and reduced transmission efficiency.
- Transformer failures: Overheated transformers increased the risk of local outages and equipment damage.
- Reduced renewable output: Hot, still air meant wind farms underperformed just as solar output peaked, creating a precarious balance.
- Raised demand from cooling systems: The heatwave drove up usage of air conditioning and fans, pushing grid demand higher, echoing Balkan outages when infrastructure buckled under surge, and heat.
Why UPS Systems Matter
Immediate Power Cushion When Mains Fail
When the grid falters, whether from lightning, equipment fault, or strain, a UPS steps in instantly. Even a battery-backed UPS system for critical devices (servers, medical equipment, network gear) means zero downtime, enabling safe operation until the main power returns.
Protecting Sensitive Electronics & Data
Abrupt power loss can corrupt data, damage drives, or shorten component lifespans. Regular UPS maintenance, like battery testing and firmware updates, is essential to ensure readiness. Without it, backup systems may fail when needed most.
Supporting Essential Services Continuity
From GP surgeries to business operations, continuity is not negotiable. A well-maintained UPS ensures that even during grid disruptions, essential services remain available, protecting patient care, public safety, and company revenues.
How BCL Power Can Support You
June’s storm-driven outages and health sector interruptions underline a clear truth: UPS systems are mission-critical infrastructure. Investing in robust UPS systems, vigilant UPS maintenance, and reliable UPS batteries safeguards against sudden failures, protects data and electronics, and keeps vital services running, even in the worst conditions.
Don’t wait for the next lightning strike or heatwave. Contact us today.