The EU Commission is preparing for possible power outages in winter with two scenarios. It is “quite possible” that disaster relief will be necessary within the EU. Other EU countries should step in, as is the case during natural disasters. If things get worse, the strategic reserve will be tapped.
EU plans for winter blackouts
The energy crisis as a result of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine has prompted the EU Commission to come up with two scenarios possible widespread power outages to react. According to Janez Lenarčič, Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Protection, “it is quite possible that disaster relief will also be needed within the EU” (source: Zeit Online).
Depending on the extent of possible blackouts, the EU is preparing two different scenarios before. Should only some countries suffer an emergency, then unaffected EU countries could help through the civil protection program, for example by supplying electricity generators. In the past, individual countries have already helped in this way in the event of natural disasters.
The situation is different when a large number of countries are affected by blackouts at the same time in winter. In this case there will be no or only very little help among each other. Then the EU wants it Cover needs from their strategic reserves. In addition to generators, this also includes water pumps, fuel and fire-fighting aircraft. Appropriate preparations for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear emergencies had already been made before Russian troops invaded Ukraine.
A power storage device like the Jackery Explorer can help with blackouts:
Demand: EU Parliament should save electricity
German MEPs are calling on the EU to take its own austerity measures. Parliamentary operations in Strasbourg should be “sent immediately into energy policy hibernation”, as FDP MP Moritz Körner puts it. Parliament could just as well meet in Brussels. It is one “Mockery of the Taxpayer”if two building complexes were heated and illuminated at the same time.