If you can’t get enough power from the National Grid for your plans, it can leave you feeling powerless in more ways than one.
You’ve expanded your business, installed new machinery, added EV chargers or started a barn conversion project, only to discover that your existing mains electricity supply can’t cope. Sounds familiar? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. In fact, it’s a surprisingly common problem.
At Powerguard, we work with businesses and homeowners across the UK who are facing the same frustrating issue: they’re technically ‘on-grid’, but the supply isn’t strong enough to power their needs.
So what can you do when the grid can’t give you more?
If you can’t Power Up, you can always Powerguard!
Contents
- You’re Connected to the Grid — But It’s Not Enough
- What Are Your Options?
- How Off-Grid Power Solves the Problem
- Real-World Examples
- Why Choose Powerguard
- Let’s Talk Power
You’re Connected to the Grid – But It’s Not Enough
Just because your commercial or domestic premise is connected to the National Grid doesn’t mean you’re getting all the power you need or the reliability you expect. In reality, this is one of the most common issues Powerguard helps to solve.
There are several reasons your existing grid connection might fall short:
Limited Grid Capacity – Rural Areas
In rural and semi-rural areas, the grid infrastructure is often old, overloaded or simply not built to handle modern energy demands. You may find that there’s physically not enough electricity available to supply your property, especially during peak periods when demand is high across the network. This is particularly frustrating for businesses trying to grow or diversify operations, only to be told, “Sorry, the grid can’t deliver more”.
Urban Energy Pressure
Even in cities, grid capacity is being pushed to its limits. With increasing pressure from electrification – including EV chargers, heat pumps and digital infrastructure – urban businesses are turning to backup systems and energy independence strategies to stay resilient. Events like the Heathrow Airport outage in March 2025, caused by a fire-related grid disruption, highlight how even well-connected locations can be vulnerable to sudden power loss.
Export or Supply Restrictions
Even if you’re generating your own electricity through solar panels, you may find that the local Distribution Network Operator (DNO) restricts how much you can export or even how much additional load you can draw from the grid. This can prevent you from installing more solar, expanding your setup or taking advantage of newer energy-efficient technologies.
Delays and High Costs for Upgrades
If you do apply for a grid upgrade, be prepared for delays. In some areas, DNOs are quoting timelines of 12–24 months (or longer), especially for three-phase power. And the cost? We’ve spoken to customers quoted tens of thousands of pounds for the privilege, with no guarantee the supply will meet future needs.
Risk of Power Outages
Power cuts are increasingly common, particularly in rural areas affected by storms, falling trees, network faults or ageing infrastructure. When your business depends on refrigeration, heating, IT systems, security or 24/7 access, downtime is inconvenient, costly and, in some cases, dangerous.
In short:
The grid might be there, but it can’t always grow with you. And even when it’s working, it may not be working for you.
What Are Your Options?
When the grid can’t keep up, you’ve got three choices:
❌ Option 1: Wait for a Grid Upgrade
You can apply for increased capacity from your DNO, but this can be a long, frustrating process and there’s no guarantee it will be approved or affordable.
❌ Option 2: Scale Back
You could limit your operations, put plans on hold or avoid growing your business. But that’s rarely a satisfying solution.
✅ Option 3: Take Control with an Off-Grid System
With an off-grid power system, you can supplement your grid supply or replace it entirely. You generate, store and manage your own electricity with no restrictions.
How Off-Grid Power Solves the Problem
At Powerguard, we build bespoke off-grid systems that include:
- Solar panels sized to your actual energy use
- Battery storage to power your site around the clock
- Backup diesel generator to cover high-demand periods
- A smart control system to manage the flow of power automatically
That means:
- No need to wait for DNO approvals
- No generation caps
- No unexpected outages
- No wasted potential
Real-World Examples
We’ve delivered powerful systems for:
- A log drying business that needed 200kWh per day and had no viable grid supply. Read more on that here.
- A storage business that had no mains electricity available and was reliant on expensive diesel generators. Read more on that here.
- A barn conversion where grid connection costs would never have paid off. Read more on that here.
In each case, a sustainable off-grid Powerguard system delivered the power they needed – reliably, independently, controllably and without waiting on the grid.
Why Choose Powerguard
We don’t install kits. We build systems.
Everything we deliver is designed, built and installed in-house and in the UK by our team. We don’t sub-contract. We don’t pass the buck. We work directly with you to design a power system that works for your life or business – whether you’re going completely off-grid or just need to top up what the grid can’t provide.
We’ve been delivering fully off-grid systems for over 25 years. Our customers include homeowners, farms, workshops, wedding venues, glamping sites and more – all powered by our sustainable systems which are made in Britain and supported by our team every step of the way.
If you have questions, you can check out our helpful FAQ here or simply pick up the phone and ask.
Want to see how it works? You’re welcome to visit our facility, witness our manufacturing process and meet the team who will be building and installing your new system.
Let’s Talk Power
📞 Call: 01507 600 688
📧 Email: sales@powerguard.co.uk
We’ll talk through your situation, answer your questions and help you plan the right system. Because when it comes to your power, nothing should be out of your control.