During the major power outage exercise in Weitra in the Gmünd district, around 500 participants rehearsed all possible scenarios to ensure security of supply in the event of an emergency.
Everything is black, nothing works anymore. When there is a major disruption, at least in the energy field, preparation is everything. Because dangers lurk everywhere. To be well prepared for emergencies, rehearsals are held regularly in the event of emergencies. The major ‘blackout exercise’ by the local military command together with 25 emergency services and aid organizations, as well as governments and companies, was once again about security of supply. For this purpose, all conceivable scenarios are rehearsed for five days in Weitra in the Gmünd district.
About 500 participants are faced with a major disruption to the Austrian electricity grid, including telephone and internet disruptions, traffic disruptions or panic buying.
“Safety is our most important asset, so we must take the dangers of a blackout seriously. Strong electricity grids are necessary for the energy transition and the basis for security of supply. In the country itself, electricity suppliers are massively expanding their networks; approximately 350 million euros are invested annually in expanding the electricity networks. Netz NÖ alone is building 40 new substations,” emphasizes State Vice President Stephan Pernkopf. Currently, approximately 460 fire stations are being equipped with emergency power generators and are thus being expanded into “safety islands for the civil sector”.
According to Deputy Military Commander Michael Lippert, almost all barracks will be self-sufficient by 2025. “It is not about scaremongering, but about preparing for such a scenario,” said Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner.
Source: Krone
I’m Ben Stock, a journalist and author at Today Times Live. I specialize in economic news and have been working in the news industry for over five years. My experience spans from local journalism to international business reporting. In my career I’ve had the opportunity to interview some of the world’s leading economists and financial experts, giving me an insight into global trends that is unique among journalists.
