LONDON (Reuters) - There is the possibility of electricity supply problems as early as 2012 unless the government provides more support for clean energy projects hit by the global credit crunch, analysts say.
Recession has eroded power demand temporarily but consumption is likely to rebound when the economy recovers.
Project delays and cancellations during the credit crunch mean a power generation gap, which many expect to hit the country from 2015 after old nuclear and coal-fired power stations shut, could arise earlier.
"In our worst-case analysis, the energy crunch could be as early as 2012. More likely you are looking at 2013 or 2014," said Ian Parrett, a market analyst at energy consultancy Inenco.