Dusseldorf.
Many dams ensure the drinking water supply for the population. The emergency power capacities are to be improved with a package worth millions.
The state of North Rhine-Westphalia wants round 5 million euros deploy to dams better on one blackout to prepare. The money comes from the current crisis package, according to the NRW environment ministry. According to the government’s response to a small inquiry by the AfD in the NRW state parliament, the dams in the state have so far had very different emergency power capacities for a total power failure.
According to the ministry, dams should “be able to further build and strengthen their emergency power supply” with the aid of millions. In addition to larger fuel stores, this could also happen through electricity production from our own hydropower.
As stated in the government response to the AfD request, this is recommended Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance for critical infrastructures one Minimum coverage of 72 hours: “For the drinking water supply, at least 50 liters of drinking water per person and day should be provided.” As can be seen from a list in the state parliament paper, however, many dams are far from the 72-hour emergency power capacity. Not all of them are relevant for the drinking water supply.
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State of North Rhine-Westphalia wants to upgrade dams for long-term power failures
According to the list, the Schmalatalsperre could bridge ten hours, the Harkort barrage four to six hours, and the Möhnetalsperre 24 hours. According to the information, the well-known Biggetalsperre and its upstream barriers would have fuel reserves “for several days”.
“The dams are already subject highest security requirements and have multi-stage precautions in the event of a power failure,” emphasized a spokesman for the Ministry of the Environment. Together with the operators, the state government is “currently also examining which further measures could be useful and necessary to protect the dams for long-term power outages to train.” (dpa)
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