As part of a semester project in the Market Research course in the study programme Unternehmensführung (Business Management) under the supervision of Prof.(FH) Dr. Cordula Cerha, students of IMC Krems conducted personal interviews with a total of 252 people on the state of information on the subject of blackouts, risk awareness, possible consequences and the blackout readiness of institutions and citizens. 29 percent can imagine that a blackout will occur in Austria in the next two years. Women rate the risk of a blackout higher than men. Natural disasters, human failure and technical faults are suspected as possible triggers.
A serious topic and hype at the same time
In the event of a blackout, the respondents are mainly concerned about food supply and safety. Three quarters think that their communication would be permanently impaired during a blackout. Around half expect severe cuts in public transport, information for the population and food and drinking water supply. With increasing age, the personal threat is perceived more strongly.
Although the topic is taken seriously, a current hype is also registered (62% agreement), and it is recognised that there is fake news about blackouts (83% agreement). Profiteering is also associated with the topic (79% agreement).
Low blackout readiness
Although 59 percent of respondents rate their dependence on a functioning power supply as high, 24 percent say they are not sufficiently prepared for a blackout. One possible explanation for this could be that only one-third of respondents believe they would have to fend for themselves in the event of a blackout. 41 percent of the respondents expect the government to take over their supply. While food for 5 days is available in 87 percent of households, only 68 percent have drinking water for this period. The majority (82%) of the population has not arranged a meeting place with the family in case of a blackout.
Expandable level of information
Almost two-thirds assess the level of information on blackouts as rather poor, only one percent of the participants are of the opinion that Austrians are very well informed about the topic of blackouts. Almost half would like to have more information.
Little willingness to pay more
Less than a quarter of the respondents would accept a surcharge on energy costs for the reduction of the risk of a blackout and thus a higher degree of security. For most of those who would pay more, an acceptable additional price would be around 20 euros per household and month.
