MSB: Major risks with the winter electricity shortage: "Poor preparedness"

The risk of power shortages in the Swedish electricity grid this winter has increased further, according to Svenska kraftnät.

This after Vattenfall announced that the stop at Ringhals 4 will be extended until January 31 next year.

Normally in Sweden we can import electricity during winter days when the electricity production in the country is not enough.

But the shutdown at Ringhals, the sanctions against Russia, reduced electricity production in France and low levels in water reservoirs in Norway are factors that affect Sweden and mean that we may be required to keep electricity on during cold days and disconnect electricity users from the grid for shorter periods.

It is something that has never before happened in Sweden and risks affecting everyday life for many households and companies.

- If that happens, it would be a very big change that would naturally get a lot of attention, says Niclas Damsgaard, chief strategist at Svenska kraftnät.

MSB: Poor preparedness in Sweden

Locks to properties, traffic lights, tram traffic, heating and electronic communication are some of the functions that are at risk of stopping in the event of a disconnection, states the Norwegian Agency for Community Safety and Preparedness (MSB). 

- Unfortunately, preparedness is generally very poor.

Already in 2011, we identified 50,000 electricity-dependent socially important businesses in Sweden.

Very few of them have reserve power today.

The consequence is that many businesses, shops and companies simply shut down in the event of a power outage because there is no plan b, says Jan-Olof Olsson, manager of supply preparedness at MSB. 

- For people who have life support machines at home and home health care, there is always a risk if there is a power cut.

Even if you have reserve power, a switchover must take place, he says.

The prompt: Time to start saving

The government has proposed that authorities should review how to save on electricity.

But both MSB and Svenska kraftnät think it is time that private individuals also start saving electricity to alleviate the winter's electricity crisis.

- If you can save on electricity in different ways, you should do it, primarily for financial reasons, but it also helps the system, says Niclas Damsgaard.

- You should always save on energy and when we are now on the edge, it is good if you try to reduce consumption to avoid this situation, it is a natural step in the crisis preparedness that exists, says Jan-Olof Olsson.

Hear Niclas Damsgaard and Jan-Olof Olsson in the video above about why Swedes should save on electricity.