The UK must plug the looming gap in its energy supplies or it could face a spiral in to "anarchy and chaos", an expert has warned.

Professor Ian Wells said with ageing coal and nuclear power stations set to close in the next decade, leading to a loss of one third of electricity generating capacity, the UK could see "dramatic shortfalls" in power supply as early as 2012-2015.

In a report he warned the country could find itself hit by repeated power cuts, shutting down the Tube and other electrified transport networks, reducing hospital services and causing chaos in supermarkets and offices.

He said: "Electricity is the life blood of civilisation. Without it we spiral down into anarchy and chaos."

The report said the Government has failed to develop a coherent and realistic policy to address the problem.

Current policies have strong elements of "wishful thinking", relying on certain renewables, namely wind, and energy efficiency to meet EU green energy targets which are "demonstrably unattainable", it said.

Prof Fells, a long-time proponent of nuclear power, said some "unpalatable" things were needed to address potential shortages, secure energy supply and protect the environment.

His report calls for short-term measures including extending the life of nuclear power stations and coal-fired plants which are due to come off line or be retired in the next few years.

He also said new power stations which can be built quickly, including gas-fired stations and the highly controversial new coal plant at Kingsnorth, Kent, will also be needed.

Energy Secretary John Hutton said ensuring the UK had enough clean and secure energy was a national priority and fundamental to our future existence and prosperity.

He said: "Ian Fells overstates the risk of the energy gap, but he also understates what the Government's already doing to secure our future supplies and increase our energy independence - such as a tenfold increase in renewables, a renaissance of nuclear energy in the UK, and backing clean coal technology."

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