Southern European Blackout Sparks Wake-Up Call in Groningen
After a major power outage hit Spain and Portugal, Groningen residents and officials are rethinking what would happen if the same thing occurred here — and how to be better prepared.
A large-scale blackout earlier this week left parts of Spain, Portugal, and France without electricity for hours. Public transport stopped suddenly, traffic lights failed, and thousands were stranded. The event has become a wake-up call across Europe — and especially in Groningen.
“Let’s learn from this,” says Sabine Veenstra from the Groningen Safety Region. “This kind of total blackout may be closer to home than we think. It’s time to take self-reliance seriously.”
Emergency Kits Fly Off Shelves
Local businesses are already seeing the impact. Emergency supply shops in Groningen, like Allprepare, have noticed a spike in demand for items like emergency rations, radios, flashlights, and water filters.
“We’ve seen a huge surge,” says Wibo Lageveen of Allprepare. “People don’t panic, but they want to be better prepared. Something like this makes it feel real.”
Gas dealer Wim Kolthof says people have also been rushing to stock up on gas cylinders. “Usually we get one or two customers a day — now it’s nonstop. Even people with half-full gas bottles are coming in to top them off.”
How to Prepare for a Blackout
The Groningen Safety Region has shared a list of suggestions to help people think ahead:
Know your route home. If public transport stops, who can you stay with along your route?
Make a plan with family. What happens if the power goes out while your kids are at school or your elderly relatives are in care?
Check your supplies. Do you have food that doesn’t need cooking? Drinking water? A flashlight, extra batteries, blankets, or cash?
Think about medication. Always have an extra supply at home.
Stay informed. In a blackout, mobile networks can fail. Keep a battery-powered or wind-up radio to listen to RTV Noord, Groningen’s emergency broadcaster.
Helping Each Other
“The most important thing is being ready to help yourself and each other,” says Wilma Mansveld, director of the Groningen Safety Region. “We call that self-reliance and co-reliance. Talk to your neighbors and make agreements about what to do in a power cut. You might need their help — or they might need yours.”
Camping shops and gas dealers have also reported increased interest in small stoves and one-burner gas cookers. Kolthof adds: “We had twenty gas lamps in stock for six months — now there are only four left.”
Can This Happen Here?
Grid operator TenneT says the Dutch power grid is better connected to surrounding countries than Spain’s, making a large-scale outage less likely. “It’s like the road network,” a spokesperson explains. “We can reroute power through Belgium, Germany, or the UK if needed.”
Still, nothing is guaranteed. “It’s not a question of if — but when. That’s why we encourage everyone to prepare now.”