Germany: Fears of catastrophic black out without lights, heating etc. are rampant due to possible long-term power cuts. The Austrian government has even produced a short in which it explains to people how to prepare for a long blackout.
The Austrian government teaches how to cope without electricity
Due to the energy crisis, power cuts this winter are a real and probable threat for most. The Austrian government broadcasts a 4-minute short based on the life of an ordinary family, shows how to cope without electricity and how to prepare for a long blackout.
The Austrian Ministry of Defence recommends that you have candles, matches, a radio, and a supply of drinking water and food for a few days at home.
Austria is developing wind and solar energy, but this energy in winter is insufficient to cover the demand, which is greater than in summer. (read more below)
In addition to this, in winter, when there is less sun and energy production is lower. On January 8 this year there was a blackout in Austria that almost cut off energy supplies across Europe.
Germany is also fearing a possibility of a blackout
For most Germans, this is an unthinkable scenario: No light, no heating, no telephone, no public transport – in short, no electricity! However, according to the Federal Office for Civil Protection, it is the risk of a total power failure in Europe that poses the greatest threat to the inhabitants of Germany in terms of disasters, writes Focus.
The Technology Assessment Office of the German Bundestag urgently warned about the consequences of the blackout: “The impact analysis have shown that, in the event of a power cut, after only a few days the supply of basic goods and services to the population cannot be guaranteed.
“Public safety is at risk, the constitutional obligation to protect the life and health of citizens can no longer be fulfilled by the state,” warned the Office.
Germany still remembers the Münster energy disaster 15 years ago, where thousands of people were left without electricity for 6 days in the middle of winter due to snow. Since then, people in Germany have been advised to prepare the so-called crisis backpack for each family member.
As reported by the RND.de broadcasting station in January this year: Europe-wide power failure was prevented as electricity suppliers acted in a timely manner. If the power plants did fail, it could lead to a disaster. After all, our whole life is extremely dependent on electricity: from lights, refrigerators, cookers and ovens, to water supply and heating, to the healthcare system.
The Federal Office for Civil Protection and Assistance in Disaster Relief ( Bundesamt für Bevölkerungsschutz und Katastrophenhilfe ) explains that the power supply in Germany is one of the safest in Europe. “Moreover, linking Europe’s energy grids into an integrated grid ensures the stability of energy supply,” he continues. Nevertheless, the risk of interruptions in electricity supplies is real and you need to be prepared for them this winter.
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Source: Az-online.de , Focus.de, RND.de