• After a major blackout in Spain and Portugal, EU officials focused on suppressing “disinformation” rather than addressing aging infrastructure. Critics argue the “Preparedness Union Strategy” emphasizes public messaging over systemic fixes, ignoring root causes of energy instability.
• Europe’s rushed shift to renewable energy has strained outdated grids, requiring trillions in upgrades that leaders have delayed. Reliance on Russian gas (now cut off) and lack of infrastructure investment left systems exposed to geopolitical shocks.
• Despite boasting low outage times, Germany remains vulnerable to cyberattacks, sabotage and supply chain disruptions. Public preparedness is weak — only 38% of Germans stock emergency kits, and government plans lack long-term resilience measures.
• The EU’s strategy includes censorship tools (e.g., Digital Services Act) and symbolic measures (emergency drills) but avoids major grid modernization. Analysts warn that suppressing criticism won’t prevent blackouts, calling it a “failure of governance.”
• With leaders slow to act, households are advised to prepare 72-hour emergency kits, though experts say this is insufficient for prolonged crises. True resilience requires decentralized energy systems, infrastructure investment and accountability—not just short-term fixes.

When a massive power outage paralyzed Spain and Portugal earlier this month, sidelining millions and exposing aging infrastructure, European Union officials bypassed calls for urgent grid repairs and instead turned their attention to curbing “disinformation” about the crisis. The incident underscores a growing rift between proactive solutions to energy insecurity and a bureaucratic focus on softening public reactions. As Germany and other nations grapple with vulnerabilities in their energy systems, critics argue the EU’s “Preparedness Union Strategy,” which prioritizes public awareness over infrastructure investment, risks addressing symptoms while ignoring deeper systemic flaws.

The roots of Europe’s energy crisis

Europe’s energy grid predicament is rooted in decades of shifting policy priorities. The transition to renewable energy, while environmentally laudable, has strained continent-wide systems designed for centralized power generation. Experts estimate trillions of euros are needed to modernize grids capable of balancing intermittent solar and wind energy. Yet EU leaders have lagged in funding these projects, opting instead for short-term fixes and rhetoric about resilience.

“The conversion to green energy has introduced instability without adequate upgrades,” said Andreas Kling, a civil protection expert. “Geopolitical pressures, like Russia’s cutoff of natural gas during the Ukraine war, have further destabilized the network.” He added that prolonged heavy reliance on Russian energy sources, despite their political volatility, left grids vulnerable.

Germany: A model of caution, but gaps remain

Germany, often hailed as a grid stability icon, faces its own vulnerabilities. Officials cite an average annual interruption of under 13 minutes, a reliability benchmark claimed as a success. Yet Kling warns that geopolitical risks, such as potential cyberattacks or Russian sabotage, could disrupt even the most robust systems. “Germany’s location makes it both a hub for grid collaboration and a potential target,” he noted.

While Berlin has drafted the KRITIS Umbrella Act to secure critical infrastructure and the EU mandates 72-hour emergency kits, public preparedness lags. Only 38% of Germans stockpile such supplies, according to a 2022 survey. “Two liters of water isn’t enough,” Kling said. “You need provisions for cooking, hygiene and transportation during chaos.”

The EU’s strategy: Censorship as preparedness?

In response to the Spain outage, the EU unveiled its “Preparedness Union Strategy,” which prioritizes combatting “disinformation” over grid fixes. Commissioner Hadja Lahbib framed the plan as a defense against cyberattacks and hybrid threats, emphasizing tools like the Digital Services Act (DSA) to suppress critical discourse. Critics counter that stifling dissent won’t solve crumbling infrastructure.

“The real issue isn’t Russians hacking grids—it’s EU leaders hacking public trust,” said Didi Rankovic, an energy analyst. Spain’s Prime Minister Luís Montenegro discounted a cyberattack, stating flatly, “There’s no indication here.” Yet the EU pivot to information control persisted.

The strategy includes centralized stockpiling of supplies, school preparedness curricula and civil-military drills. However, some fear it distracts from energy sector modernization. “They’re treating symptoms instead of disease,” Kling said.

Civilian responsibility: Small steps in an uncertain era

While governments debate, citizens begin self-reliance. The EU’s 72-hour emergency kit advice—water, first aid, cash—is a start but insufficient. Kling urges households to plan for mobility, childcare and community support. “Resilience begins at home,” he said.

Historically, Europe’s energy strategy has been reactive—think post-World War II grid rebuilding or Cold War-era civil defense drills. Yet today’s challenges, from climate to cyberwar, demand more nuanced approaches. “We’re repeating past mistakes,” Rankovic warned. “Over-reliance on centralized systems left Spain defenseless. Renewables alone can’t power resilience without investment.”

Readying for a gridlocked future

As winter looms, the EU’s energy crossroads becomes starker: invest now or nationalize panic later. The Preparedness Union’s focus on control over concrete solutions may offer political cover but risks emboldening outdated systems. For nations like Germany, balancing civil readiness with infrastructure modernization is critical. But without addressing root problems, the EU’s next blackout won’t just be technical —  it’ll be a failure of governance.

In the end, true preparedness requires more than emergency kits and censorship — it needs leadership daring to fix the wiring.

Sources for this article include:

ReclaimTheNet.org

EuroNews.com

Ec.Europa.eu