[kyriakos]

Never understood rationing. If electricity is cut off for 2 hours won't residents use double the electricity in the following 2 hours after supply is restored? For example I won't run the wash during the cut off time but I will most definitely do after it's reconnected.

[wizofaus]

If it were a once-off incident like that, perhaps, but if everyone knew they'd only get, say, 8 hours electricity a day over several weeks, I don't doubt they'd use less than having it available 24 hours a day.

[johnchristopher]

I think the reason is also to optimize load on the grid to prevent losses.