Storm revealed significant problems with independent electricity generation in business sector - minister

RIGA - The storm that struck over the weekend revealed significant problems with independent power generation in the business sector, resulting in the unavailability of several services vital to the public, said Edgars Tavars (United List), Minister of Smart Administration and Regional Development, in an interview with the Latvian Television.

The minister specifically highlighted problems with telephone service and fuel availability following power outages. According to him, there were cities where not a single gas station was operating, while hospitals and police stations relied on generators for power.

The politician acknowledged that no one had anticipated such widespread power outages and the resulting mobile communication problems. Overall, the storm served as a very serious lesson, which will be analyzed in detail today by the government’s crisis management council.

Tavars emphasized that the crisis caused by the storm has shown that private businesses must be better equipped to sustain themselves with generators, especially telecommunications companies, whose communication towers must be equipped with a higher level of equipment to be able to function for at least 72 hours without a centralized power supply.

The minister stated that the government will require certain private businesses to better ensure their own alternative power supply, while for others, the government will consider introducing incentive mechanisms to encourage them to prioritize such alternatives.

Tavars noted that fuel retailers and telecommunications companies also enter into contracts with the government to provide their services to emergency response agencies, and they must be able to fulfill these obligations even in the most difficult situations. He acknowledged that certain requirements have already been set for these companies, but it appears that compliance with them may exist more on paper than in practice.

The politician acknowledged that if the aftermath of such a storm were to occur during a cold spell in winter, it would be a major disaster. He did, however, praise the power restoration crews, other emergency services, and local governments, all of whom were involved in clearing up the storm’s aftermath and worked to the best of their ability.