Finning UK & Ireland’s Power Systems team is warning that failure to prepare power infrastructure for winter conditions could lead to significant downtime and costly damage to generators and critical equipment. Cold starts, increased mechanical friction, fuel gelling and reduced battery performance are all common winter-related issues that can severely impact generator reliability if not addressed in advance.

According to the Royal Meteorological Society, long-range forecasts for early 2026 are now indicating a higher likelihood of colder and drier conditions, raising concerns for organisations reliant on continuous power supply.

With sectors such as healthcare, digital infrastructure, manufacturing and construction particularly vulnerable to outages, Finning says ensuring generator health ahead of winter is essential to maintaining operations and avoiding financial losses.

The company warns that cold weather places additional strain on an already fragile electricity grid, making it critical for sites to plan for potential blackouts and disruptions well in advance.

Rob Froome, head of Project Delivery Contracts & Commissioning at Finning, said: “Whether it’s data centres, construction sites or hospitals, we know cold weather presents a major challenge for site managers. The key is understanding your power requirements – whether you need full site coverage or power for critical loads only – and ensuring a temporary power solution is tested and ready before it’s needed.”

He added that cold starts are one of the most damaging phases of generator operation. “Engine wear is highest during cold start-up, accounting for around 70% of total engine wear. Running generators cold places increased stress on components, shortening lifespan and reducing efficiency. Proactive maintenance and planning for low-temperature operation can significantly extend equipment life and improve fuel efficiency.”

Emergency planning is also highlighted as a crucial element of winter preparedness. Clear procedures for responding to power loss can help reduce downtime, while access to rapid-response backup power solutions can prevent disruption altogether.

“Having the right equipment, the right emergency contacts and a clear fuelling strategy is critical for cold weather operation,” Froome said. “If you wait until an outage occurs, it’s often too late. The result is increased downtime, higher fuel costs and avoidable generator damage. Preparing now allows businesses to protect operations and control costs when winter conditions hit.”

To support site managers, Finning has made a cold weather and disaster preparedness planning document available to download via www.finning.com/en_GB