Blackout horror scenario: According to an analysis, what happens if the power fails completely

Created: 05/17/2022, 05:02

By: Janine Napirca

Fueled by the Ukraine war, there is increasing talk of a possible blackout.

Experts outlined the consequences of such a power outage years ago.

Munich – The war in Ukraine has brought the horror scenario of a power failure into the consciousness of many people, including in Germany.

Why the power should fail at all and what the consequences are to be expected if a blackout really does occur - you can find out here.

Blackout: Why could the power go out at all?

What does the war in Ukraine have to do with the power supply in Germany?

Germany gets a lot of gas from Russia.

According to a

report from May 12, an acute gas shortage could lead to a destabilization of the power grid and thus to a widespread power blackout.

Cyber ​​attacks can also paralyze the power supply.

Power failure scenario also affects internet, telephone and TV

In the event of a blackout, you can no longer use end devices such as smartphones, telephones and televisions, at least when the battery is empty.

However, those who only obtain information via the Internet or TV will be cut off from any source of information with a power failure.

Neither public news from politics and current world events, nor signs of life from friends and relatives are then still accessible.

If you want to know how your loved ones are doing, you have to stop by in person.

With the help of a crank radio, you could still receive news even if the power fails.

A blackout, i.e. a widespread power failure, would have serious consequences for Germany.

© Christian Ohde/Imago

Blackout: All traffic is paralyzed in the event of a power failure

Berlin - Public transport such as S-Bahn, U-Bahn, tram or trains no longer run without electricity.

According to the report, a blackout should also stop at the gas stations.

Because without electricity there is no electric pump at the pump.

As a result, cars, buses and trucks stop.

According to the report, the IT behind the gas station is also paralyzed without electricity.

Since the anti-theft protection of the tankers is electronically controlled, the trucks cannot be unloaded in the event of a blackout.

Without electricity, there will soon be no running water - that's how bad a blackout would be

According to the report, the Office for Technology Assessment (TAB) already assessed the possible consequences of a blackout in 2011, on behalf of the Bundestag.

The analysis is still valid.

However, co-author and political scientist Maik Poetzsch considers the probability of a blackout to be "extremely unlikely" - just as the entire analysis classifies the risk as low.

Nevertheless, back to the scenario: According to the report, the water supply in Germany would only be secured for about a week with the help of emergency generators after a blackout.

Hygiene conditions deteriorate enormously without running water, toilets will clog and diseases can spread better and faster.

Health care severely restricted due to power failure: These groups of people are particularly at risk

In general, healthcare is heavily impacted by a blackout.

According to the report, the power supply for emergency operation in German hospitals only has to be guaranteed for 24 hours.

Diabetics who depend on refrigerated insulin are particularly at risk.

Dialysis patients would also be hit hard by a blackout.

Just like people who are only supplied with sufficient oxygen with the help of ventilators.

Even nutrition cannot be guaranteed in the event of a blackout

Supermarkets are immediately affected in the event of a power failure.

Not only the cash register, but also the lighting and cooling no longer work in the event of a blackout.

In general, it makes sense to stock up on a small emergency supply at home with the most important things that you can use to bridge a certain period of time.

So you don't have to go hungry in the event of a power failure.