Power outage

A power outage is when the electric power supply fails due to damages in the electric grid, problems in power production or system control malfunctions. Complete power failure is also known as a ‚blackout‘. Power failures can hardly be predicted. Our power supply has become dependent on grid control systems that determine how the electricity is distributed. These systems are based on information and communications technologies (ICT). Breakdowns or hitches in these ICT systems can, in the worst case, lead to extensive blackouts.

An extensive or national blackout severely restricts our daily lives. At home or in the office all electronic devices, lights and heating fail. The water supply may break down. The toilet cannot be flushed anymore. Telephone and Internet connections are limited or interrupted. Public transport is severely limited and fails. Traffic lights cease to work and traffic jams result. Cash dispensers/ATMs can no longer be used and in shops goods cannot be paid for as cash registers fail to function. Petrol can only be obtained from filling stations that have a backup power supply. Depending on the reason and extent of the blackout, it may take hours to days until the power comes back on.

• Blackout (Iberian Peninsula), 2025
• Blackout (Europe), 2006

1. Pull the plug or switch off all devices connected to the power grid.
2. When the power has come back, switch each device on separately to lower the risk of overloading the power grid.

• Emergency meeting points (EMP)

1. Inform yourself via radio and television and follow the instructions given by the authorities and emergency organisations.
2. Call the emergency services only in an emergency.
3. Use the telephone and other important means of communication only for important and urgent requirements (danger of network overload).
4. Use cars and other means of transport only for important and urgent requirements (danger of traffic overload).
5. Act particularly careful in traffic (danger due to breakdown of traffic lights, barriers etc.).
6. Inform and support neighbours and people needing assistance in your vicinity.

• Federal Office for National Economic Supply (FONES)
• Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE)