
Austria does not have a unified national communication and information plan in the event of a major blackout, according to a report from the Court of Audit (RH) published on Friday.
While all levels of government have made preparations for widespread power outages, these measures are inconsistent.
The report, which reviewed federal, state and municipal efforts from 2018 to 2023, highlights a lack of coordination and clarity in response strategies. For example, the federal states have differing definitions of what constitutes a blackout, with no standardised approach across the country.
Diverging Definitions
A blackout, as defined by the Court of Audit, is not the same as a regional power outage or power shortage. It refers to a sudden, widespread power failure, accompanied by infrastructure and supply disruptions. In such situations, traditional communication methods, such as mobile phones and the internet, may also become unavailable, severely limiting mobility and access to essential goods.
Despite efforts at various levels, the report reveals that some blackout response plans remain underdeveloped, while others are more advanced. What is consistent across the country is the identification of blackout-related tasks and the personnel needed to handle them. In Styria, for example, each department determines which tasks it considers relevant to a blackout. At the federal level, the Ministry of the Interior centralises these decisions for its subordinate agencies.
However, the RH found that communication within authorities varies from state to state. Clear guidelines and predefined communication channels are crucial, the audit argues, to ensure no time is lost during a crisis. The report also points out that Austria has yet to conduct a nationwide crisis communication exercise.
Feldbach Leads the Way
On a more local level, Feldbach, the fifth-largest town in Styria, has emerged as a leader in blackout preparedness. The municipality has been implementing measures to strengthen residents’ self-sufficiency and ensure the continuity of critical services. These include the establishment of 11 self-help stations with emergency power supplies, securing fuel supplies through an emergency-powered petrol station and measures to maintain communication and infrastructure during a blackout.
In light of these findings, the Court of Audit has called for a more coordinated and consistent approach to blackout preparedness, recommending that measures be regularly reviewed and optimised to ensure the country’s resilience in the face of a potential power crisis.