Austrians lack readiness for power outages
Austrians Are Leaving the Lights On, but Preparedness Levels Remain Light
Imagine plunging into darkness, not a flicker of electricity, and no prospect of it returning anytime soon. Sounds straight out of a thriller, doesn't it? But for almost a tenth of Austria's population, this scenario is considered a conspiracy!
In a recent Immobilienrendite AG survey, commissioned by the agency and conducted by Integral, over a thousand Austrians aged 16 to 75 shared their preparedness for such a catastrophic scenario. The survey results were startlingly revealing.
- Blackout in Austria? Most are caught napping
- Austrians and their power naps: Preparedness levels
Nine percent think blackouts are a hoax, perhapslicher-wahn! Only slightly more than half (48%) of those surveyed have prepared for a blackout. This preparation manifests in candles (48%) and food and water supplies (47%) at home or work. 33% have a battery-powered radio and 11% leverage photovoltaic panels. Unsurprisingly, only 9% stock water purification equipment and tablets for such emergencies. The preparedness level takes a puzzling turn when we witness that an astounding 7% have taken self-defense courses, and 5% keep portable toilets at the ready. Shockingly, 25% haven't taken any precautions at all!
With an alarming 9% of respondents viewing blackouts as a conspiracy theory, Austria's readiness for a massive power outage seems more akin to slumber land than a prepared nation.
46% would rather shiver than shell out on heating
As the weather turns colder, energy prices climb sharply, making the prospect of a cozy winter's night a luxury many Austrians can't afford. Consequently, 46% of respondents have decided to forgo warmth at home when it comes to saving money on heating costs. "Our survey data from last year shows that this number represents only a 2% decrease from 2023, where 48% had to economize on heating expenses," explains Michael Rajtora, CEO of Immobilienrendite AG.
Those most willing to sacrifice domestic comfort are the younger generations (61%) and Viennese (63%). Eerily, those with lower net household incomes (59%) are equally resolute in their efforts to save on heating costs. Interestingly, the average monthly pain threshold for heating and electricity stands at 213 euros.
Austria and the art of staying in the dark
Despite the numerous challenges faced by the country's infrastructure, Austrians have an ace up their sleeve. Austrian Power Grid (APG) employs the n-1 principle to ensure grid stability, even during critical component failures, allowing the country to maintain a supply security level of 99.99%. Citizens are encouraged to maintain emergency kits similar to European Commission recommendations, containing items such as portable stoves, batteries, and first aid supplies. Emergency volunteer organizations with over 450,000 members also play a crucial role in bolstering community resilience.
However, the specifics of electricity and heating expenditure are not outlined in available sources. Belgian households typically allocate 5-10% of their monthly budgets for energy costs (heating and electricity combined) based on general EU averages. Exact figures for spending related to preparedness or willingness to pay more per month are conspicuously absent from the findings.
- Despite the emphasis on electricity conservation, Austrians show reluctance in boosting spending on heating costs.
- In the face of impending cold, a significant number of Austrians opt to endure the chill rather than increase spending on heating.
- As many as 46% of Austrians are content to shiver in the cold as a means of saving money on heating bills.
- With heating costs on the rise, Austrians display a willingness to forgo domestic comfort to maintain financial stability.
