Germany: Network Service denies Civil Protection – We are not in danger of blackouts

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In an interview, the representative of the Network Service estimated that there is little chance that power outages will become necessary during the winter.

“Germany has one of the world’s most reliable electricity supply systems. There are numerous mechanisms and reserves to stabilize the network in case of tension,” said a spokesman for the Federal Network Agency, contradicting the head of the Federal Civil Protection Agency (BBK), who had earlier warned of the risk of blackouts in January and February.

“The Networks Agency estimates the possibility of power outages being necessary during the winter as minimal,” the spokesman stressed. In an interview with Welt am Sonntag, BBK head Ralf Tischler referred to the possibility that electricity providers themselves would decide on planned “regional and temporary outages”. Mr. Tizler placed the risk particularly during the months of January and February and clarified that these outages would not be due to a lack of power, but to “targeted, temporary shutdowns of the networks by the operators in order to protect the networks and the total provision should not be jeopardized’.

In this context, the head of the BBK criticized the administration of some states, which, he said, is not sufficiently prepared for crisis situations, such as power cuts. In some states, however, he said, there is excellent preparation, with accurate plans and ensuring power supply through generators.

According to the Federal Network Agency, “brown outs”, as they are technically called in individual areas and for a limited time controlled outages of the network, which are decided by providers in order to save electricity and not disrupt the stability of the network. This has not happened in Germany since the end of World War II and is seen as a last resort in case of inability to meet demand. Such a need could potentially arise due to the tense situation in the electricity market, problems with France’s nuclear power plants and uncertainty in natural gas supplies.

For his part, the energy expert from the University of Siegen, Niko Pech, considers it unlikely that brown outs will be needed, maintaining a reservation since the winter is particularly severe. “We can interpret the Civil Protection warning as a regional and temporary interruption of the electricity supply,” he explained.

RES-EMP

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