For the second time this fall, a major report has cast doubts on the ability of the UK to meet its own energy demands over the coming years. In a survey conducted by the BBC, 13 of 31 energy experts agreed with the statement that in the next decade, the island nation faces an unacceptable risk of blackouts. On the same question, nine said no, six were undecided, and three did not respond.

The BBC's questionnaire should carry a bit more weight than the previous study, which was sponsored heavily by industrial concerns. The news organization also admits that its report is nowhere near definitive, but still adds to a growing sense of doubt that clean energy generation can be rolled into the national grid quickly enough to fuel growing energy demand.

From an economic perspective, lower energy supply in the coming years may be a boon for sustainability—albeit a somewhat inconvenient one. The resulting higher prices will encourage less energy use, and prompt consumers to look into more energy efficient products. While the occasional brownout may impede productivity slightly, the improvement in efficient use of resources will pay long-term dividends