Torsten Schack Pedersen30th April 2025 – (Copenhagen) Danish Minister for Resilience and Preparedness Torsten Schack Pedersen has called on citizens to bolster their home emergency preparedness following major blackouts in Spain and Portugal.
“The images we’ve seen highlight the necessity for a 72-hour home emergency response,” Pedersen stated during an interview with Danish broadcaster DR. He urged households to stock essential supplies, including drinking water and non-perishable food, sufficient for at least three days.
On Monday, a large-scale blackout struck Spain and Portugal, leaving extensive areas without electricity and causing widespread disruption. Danish emergency services issued a warning earlier on Tuesday, indicating that the country could face serious challenges if it experiences a similar power outage.
Despite this, Pedersen reassured the public that Denmark is “well-prepared and has a resilient society,” while acknowledging that “reality is changing.” To enhance crisis response capabilities, the National Operational Staff—a coordination body that includes various national agencies such as the police, intelligence services, defence forces, and health authorities—is set to meet later on Tuesday. The discussions will focus on how Denmark can learn from the recent blackouts in Spain and Portugal.
“We have a strong interest in ensuring that all authorities are as well-prepared as possible for any eventuality,” Pedersen added.