Samfunnsmessige konsekvenser av bortfall av elektrisk kraft - hva skjer med oss når strømmen blir borte?

Abstract

This report focuses on the modern society’s dependency on electric power and the impacts of power blackouts. This study is an integral part of the Protection of Society 3 (BAS3)-project, which studies the vulnerability of the Norwegian electric power system. The main conclusions derived from the study is that power blackouts are critical for most activities in a modern society, due to the extensive dependency on electricity. However, impacts will vary due to several factors - the duration of the blackout, geographic and demographic condtions, climate and the level of emerengcy preparedness. Immediate impacts are often related to economic losses, while health problems emerge in a long-term perspective. But even though the modern society's dependency on a stable supply of electric power is strong, widespread anarchy is unlikely to arise in a well-organised and stable country.