[ad_1]
There is a risk of another pandemic. But the risk of a power shortage is even higher, says the Federal Office for Civil Protection. image: shutterstock / babs
Bad news: a pandemic is not the biggest threat to Switzerland
In 2015, the federal government published a risk analysis for Switzerland for the last time. Even then, warnings of a global pandemic were given. However, the latest analysis shows that a pandemic is “only” the second biggest threat to Switzerland.
“Switzerland has recently been saved from disasters and serious emergencies,” said 2015 at the Risk analysis of the Federal Office of Civil Protection (FOCP). Five years later, the situation is different.
This is also pointed out by the authors of the most recent national risk analysis. Five years ago, the focus was not on a global pandemic, but on terrorist attacks such as those in Paris, Brussels or Berlin. The risk of attacks still exists, but it is lower compared to other risks.
The three biggest risks
As in 2015, the scenario is different Influenza–pandemic big. Unlike five years ago, the economic damage will be one national electricity shortage but classified as superior. New also arises the danger of one Failure since Cellular network in the report. “All three risks harbor a high potential for harm with a high probability of occurrence,” the FOCP writes in a press release.
The risk diagram for Switzerland
The diagram shows the frequency and associated damage of certain risks. A power shortage, a pandemic, or an earthquake. image: risk-ch.ch/screenshot
The ten biggest risks for Switzerland
- Power shortage
- Flu pandemic
- Cell failure
- Heat wave
- earthquake
- Power failure
- Sturm
- Data center failure
- Fever of people seeking protection
- dryness
This is how the federal government describes the energy shortage scenario
The authors of the risk analysis rate it as the greatest danger for Switzerland “Power shortage”. In a separate report, the BABS describes how a potential power shortage could arise and what negative effects would be associated with it.
The following descriptions are excerpts from the Electricity shortage risk file BABS.
Electricity consumption in Europe is continuously increasing. Switzerland is also increasingly importing electricity from abroad. In January, meteorologists warn of a cold snap in Europe. Temperatures are dropping and there is snowfall towards the lower altitudes.
Possible scenario: a pharmacy during a blackout in Zurich in January 2012. Photo: trapezoidal
Due to the cold, electricity consumption increases enormously. At the same time, several lignite power plants in Eastern Europe are on strike due to technical problems. On the fourth day after the cold snap, Switzerland’s power plants are at their production limit. Power lines can still handle the snow, but the demand for electricity continues to rise. There is a threat of overloading the power grid.
The authorities ask the population to save electricity on a voluntary basis. In response, electricity consumption will decline slightly, but the situation remains precarious. The Federal Council decides to restrict electricity. Indoor swimming pools and snow sports facilities must close. Public lighting and public transportation will be restricted.
Because that’s not enough either, electricity is regulated for two weeks at a regular rate, eight hours with, four hours without, in areas. In areas where the electricity has just been cut off and there are no emergency power systems available, there are total failures of the cash register, ATM, gas station, Internet, telephone or TV systems.
Electricity is running out – a scenario that could be especially uncomfortable in winter. Image: sda
The grocery stores are full of people. There are shopping for hamsters for food and daily necessities. The generators, flashlights, matches, and batteries are dead. Criminal activities are increasing and in many places more police presence is needed.
In addition to the restriction in the private sector, electricity is quota for larger companies. Businesses with multiple locations must close individual branches to stay within their energy quota.
14 weeks after the pan-European cold snap, the situation in the European electricity market is starting to improve again. Because many of the operations centers were partially unavailable, around 100 deaths and 1,000 injuries occur.
The Federal Office of Civil Protection has also developed scenarios for the risk of a failure in the cellular network. You can here read.
