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ARCHIVED - Fears grow over an electrical blackout in Spain
Gas stove manufacturers in Spain have been forced to limit orders to avoid shortages
Since the Austrian Defence Minister announced last week that their country is preparing for a major electrical blackout in the coming weeks, shoppers in much of Spain have been in a frenzy to buy gas stoves, butane canisters and flashlights in case the dreaded power outage occurs. Hardware stores around the country have reportedly sold out of camping gear as people prepare for a winter without electricity.
According to the Austrian Minister, “the question is not whether or not there will be a major blackout, but when”; however, Red Electricia in Spain were quick to refute this statement, claiming that in Spain, at least, there is access to double the amount of power required at any one time.
Despite this reassurance, older people in general are cleaning out the stores of gas-operated products, actions which are reminiscent of the early pandemic, when supermarkets were cleared of toilet paper and pasta as frightened residents stocked up.
The situation isn’t quite as dire in communities such as Andalucía and Valencia, where retailers have admitted that there has been an upsurge in demand for gas canisters and grills, but not to the extent of being totally sold out.
Large manufacturers have also noticed the high demand, with some, such as Basque company SuperEgo, rationing orders of portable stoves and camping gas so that they don’t run out. The demand has already exceeded the figures at the beginning of the pandemic, and stores are struggling to fill their shelves with products from national suppliers.
While the Spanish government continues to flatly rule out the possibility of a major blackout, it is undeniable that there is a supply problem. With Russia continually hiking up the gas prices and Algeria recently closing off a pipeline, Spain now has to examine the costly and somewhat complicated option of using LNG tankers.
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