Power interruption, whether from load shedding, cable theft or infrastructure failure, is a business continuity problem rather than an inconvenience. The businesses that handle it well have done one piece of arithmetic: what an hour without electricity actually costs them, in lost sales, spoiled stock and idle staff. That number decides what is worth spending.
Work it out first, because it is the difference between sensible spending and panic buying.
Cost an hour of downtime
Lost trading, stock at risk in fridges and freezers, staff being paid to wait, and orders that go elsewhere. A business losing very little per hour should not buy what a butcher or a pharmacy needs.
Then work out what you actually need to keep running: the till and card machine, refrigeration, lighting, or the whole operation. Most businesses need far less than they assume, and sizing to essentials rather than everything changes the cost substantially.
Match the solution to the need
A small battery unit can keep a till, card machine, router and lights running for hours at modest cost. Refrigeration and machinery need considerably more, and that is where the expense lies.
Where you install anything permanent, electrical work needs a qualified person to sign off, which is what makes it compliant and insurable. Uncertified installations are a genuine liability and can void cover.
Where you install anything permanent, the electrical compliance framework and departmental services are listed on the government services portal.
Protect the equipment, not just the uptime
Damage frequently happens when power returns rather than while it is off. Surge protection on electronics, refrigeration and point-of-sale equipment costs little against the replacement value.
Cable theft and vandalism also cause extended outages that no backup covers indefinitely, so know how long you could trade on backup and what you would do beyond that.
Check insurance and plan the operational response
Confirm whether your policy covers stock spoilage and business interruption from power failure, since many exclude it or require specific conditions. Our guide to business insurance covers what to check.
Operationally: keep a manual sales record, accept alternative payment, adjust trading hours around known schedules, and tell customers in advance. Predictability retains customers more effectively than uninterrupted power does.
Frequently asked questions
What should I work out first?
What an hour without power actually costs in lost sales, spoiled stock and idle staff. That number decides what is worth spending.
Do I need to power everything?
Usually not. Sizing backup to essentials such as the till, card machine, router and lighting is far cheaper than covering the whole operation.
When does equipment get damaged?
Often when power returns rather than while it is off, which is why surge protection matters as much as backup.
Does insurance cover spoiled stock?
Not always. Many policies exclude power failure or require specific conditions, so confirm rather than assume.
What helps operationally?
A manual sales record, alternative payment options, adjusted hours around known schedules, and telling customers in advance.
Further reading
Originally published in March 2018. Updated September 2026 into practical guidance on trading through power interruptions.
