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EU calls for full power cut probe | |
(about 10 hours later) | |
The European Commission has called for a full investigation into the causes of a blackout that left swathes of western Europe without power at the weekend. | |
The comments of Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs came after German electricity firm E.ON admitted that it was to blame for the power cut. | |
E.ON said its grid had overloaded after it temporarily switched off an electricity line in northern Germany. | |
Mr Piebalgs said the power cut was "unacceptable". | |
He added that Saturday's two-hour blackout once again showed the need for a Europe-wide common policy on electricity distribution. | |
"Energy security is better delivered through a common European approach rather than 27 different approaches," he said. | |
E.ON said the offending power line crossed over the river Ems and was turned off to allow a cruise ship to safely pass through. | |
The knock-on power cut left millions without electricity across Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Portugal. | The knock-on power cut left millions without electricity across Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Portugal. |
Despite politicians' anger, E.ON said Europe's power grid was in good shape. | Despite politicians' anger, E.ON said Europe's power grid was in good shape. |
'Knock-on effect' | 'Knock-on effect' |
"I am grateful that the situation was not worse than it turned out, because E.ON caused it," said E.ON board member Klaus-Dieter Maubach. | |
Politicians have called for more investment in Europe's electricity grid | Politicians have called for more investment in Europe's electricity grid |
"The trigger of the breakdown in supply was that we had to take a line out of operation and that the knock-on effect from that loss spread to other lines which later cut out." | "The trigger of the breakdown in supply was that we had to take a line out of operation and that the knock-on effect from that loss spread to other lines which later cut out." |
Mr Maubach added that European grid operators enjoyed good co-operation, meaning Saturday night's power cuts only lasted for about an hour. | Mr Maubach added that European grid operators enjoyed good co-operation, meaning Saturday night's power cuts only lasted for about an hour. |
Yet politicians from the affected countries have called for the electricity companies to invest more in their networks. | Yet politicians from the affected countries have called for the electricity companies to invest more in their networks. |
"We have known for a while that there are bottlenecks on the power grids and that the utilities have not ensured that the grids are being expanded," said German Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel. | "We have known for a while that there are bottlenecks on the power grids and that the utilities have not ensured that the grids are being expanded," said German Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel. |
Italy's prime minister has called for Europe to have a central power authority. | Italy's prime minister has called for Europe to have a central power authority. |
Romano Prodi said there was a "contradiction" in having a unified power network but no central authority. | Romano Prodi said there was a "contradiction" in having a unified power network but no central authority. |
Past examples | Past examples |
Saturday's power cut started in the German city of Cologne before quickly spreading. | Saturday's power cut started in the German city of Cologne before quickly spreading. |
Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria and Croatia were also affected, with the cuts even reaching as far as Morocco. | Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria and Croatia were also affected, with the cuts even reaching as far as Morocco. |
The worst recent power blackout struck Italy in 2003, plunging the country into darkness for 18 hours between 28 and 29 September. | The worst recent power blackout struck Italy in 2003, plunging the country into darkness for 18 hours between 28 and 29 September. |
The previous month, a similar power cut had struck the north-eastern US and Canada. | The previous month, a similar power cut had struck the north-eastern US and Canada. |
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