Power failure in the Märkisches Kreis: This is how the municipalities are preparing!

Power failure in the Märkisches Kreis: This is how the municipalities are preparing!

On May 1, 2025, a recent blackout in Spain as well as in parts of Portugal and France will provide discussions about the preparation for possible power outages in Germany, especially in Plettenberg and the Märkische Kreis. The city, together with the regional supplier Enervie, describes its precautions in the event of a blackout to ensure the security of citizens. Enervie states that the power grid is monitored around the clock and that the systems in the regional distribution network are laid out redundantly in order to prevent failures. Even if the likelihood of a blackout in Germany is assessed as low, extensive emergency strategies remain essential.

The Märkische Kreis has developed a framework concept since 2024 that structured processes and measures that are initiated after the duration of a power failure. This concept ensures that critical infrastructures such as fire protection and emergency services are still functional. It also includes the alarm of the emergency services and the redundant communication between the circle, municipalities and fire brigades. In every municipality, crisis information and first aid centers (KIEZ) are set up to inform and support the population in an emergency.

preparation measures in Plettenberg

In Plettenberg itself, important measures to secure the power supply were taken in the event of failures. The city has purchased seven electricity generators for the fire brigade equipment houses that offer an output of 45 kVA or 32 kW. These generators not only supply the light, but also the kitchen and electrical heating devices. The generator in the town hall has an output of 150 kva or 120 kW and secures important communication channels.

These generators are equipped with large tanks that ensure a week of power supply. These precautions are crucial to remain capable of action in critical situations. Most of the hospitals and care facilities are responsible for their operation in the event of power outages, but they are protected by network replacement systems. These independent energy sources guarantee that vital medical devices will remain in operation.

emergency management at banks

As part of emergency management, Volksbank also took security measures in South Westphalia in order to ward off possible damage from power failures. In contrast, the Sparkasse in the Märkisches Kreis is in a less optimal position. It no longer has its own emergency generator and rely on a main server in Münster, which has an emergency power supply. In the event of a power failure in Plettenberg, the operating processes of the Sparkasse could be disturbed, including the function of ATMs.

The effects of power outages should not be underestimated. According to information from solar experts, you can have far-reaching consequences for everyday life, industry and also for transport systems. Emergency current systems are crucial for the fact that critical systems, such as in hospitals or in traffic, continue. The expansion of the backup power supply can be considered more and more important by technological progress. A well thought-out energy backup plan protects against system failures and unnecessary financial losses.

Efficiency and environmental friendliness of future emergency power systems are topics that will continue to become more important in the context of progressive digitization and energy transition. In addition, current developments show that the average power downtime in Germany is around 15 minutes a year. Nevertheless, the risk of a larger blackout remains due to extreme weather conditions or technical defects.

Overall, the precautions in Plettenberg and the Märkische Kreis illustrate the importance of a solid emergency strategy and the need to be well prepared in the face of possible crises.