A prolonged power cut could disrupt healthcare, transport and water

A power cut lasting several days could disrupt access to mobile and internet services, healthcare, transport and running water, and could even make it difficult to call 112. DR reports that lecturer Lene Sandberg warns the effects would extend beyond lighting, heating and electricity, as services depend on interconnected systems.

Sandberg teaches on the disaster and risk management programme at Copenhagen University College and was one of the game masters in DR’s exercise, “Crisis exercise: Hybrid attack on Denmark”. She says the risk of widespread power cuts should be considered in emergency preparedness, pointing to incidents including the Nord Stream sabotage, extensive hacking of CPR numbers and the manipulation of thermostats in French supermarkets.

Mobile and internet services

Mobile phones rely on telecom masts, which also need electricity. Backup batteries can keep the masts running for only a few hours, Sandberg says.

If telecom infrastructure is affected, people may lose access to news, government information and other digital services. It could also become harder for authorities to reach the public with advice. FM radio could be an important channel for official information during a prolonged outage, but people would need a radio that works without mains electricity, she says.

Healthcare

Hospitals often have emergency generators to maintain critical functions, but home care services may also be vulnerable during a prolonged outage.

Municipalities keep paper lists of residents who need help, so staff can still identify them if digital systems are unavailable. But the lists are only a snapshot, Sandberg says, and may not contain the latest information.

Pharmacies also rely on digital systems and access to the prescription server. A health card stored on a phone could be another problem. Sandberg says that after authorities introduced the option to opt out of a physical health card, more people may not have one at home.

Transport and fuel

An electric car may be unusable if it is not charged, while petrol stations also depend on electricity. Power is needed to operate fuel pumps and payment systems, Sandberg says.

Most people rely on functioning supply chains and infrastructure for fuel, and cannot store large quantities for an extended period. A maximum of 25 litres of flammable liquids may be kept inside a home, including petrol, spirits and acetone, with a further 25 litres allowed in a shed.

Some public transport services could also be affected, and traffic lights could stop working, creating problems for mobility and road safety.

Water supply

The Danish Emergency Management Agency recommends having three litres of water per person per day for three days. During a prolonged power cut, people cannot count on water continuing to flow from their taps, Sandberg says.

Water supplies today rely heavily on systems and pumps that need electricity, unlike the water towers of the past, which used their height to create pressure in the pipes. Pumping stations also need electricity to move wastewater on for treatment.

Tags: power cuts, emergency preparedness, Denmark