Ref. Ares(2021)4296942 - 01/07/2021
Good practices to address
pandemic risks
ECG - Web Conference
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5 June 2020
Why a list of good practices?
• While the
energy system has proven to be resilient thanks to the good
preparedness of the sector, it is important to remain vigilant.
• The document identified
a list of risks and challenges in the short-term and
long term, as well as
a series of 20 good practices to address risks in the
energy sector that are associated with a pandemic.
• It takes stock of the exchanges in the relevant coordination groups (ECG,
GCG and OCG), as well as the Offshore Safety Authorities Group and the
European Nuclear Safety Regulators Group.
• The Staff Working Document was published and transmitted to the EP and
Council on 2 June.
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RISKS AND CHALLENGES
Short-term
Long-term
• ensuring energy supply,
• uncertainty regarding the duration of the pandemic,
• movement and availability of specialised energy workers, • specialised workforce unavailability or lower resilience,
• movement and access for Euratom safeguards
• additional unexpected contingencies, including extreme
inspectors,
weather events
• access to components and raw materials that are critical • reliability of critical supply chains,
for energy,
• impact of delays of postponing maintenance,
• access to protective equipment and medical testing for
energy workers,
• large project delays and investment reductions,
• business continuity of critical energy infrastructure,
• non-realistic emergency stockholding for upcoming
calendar years,
• preparedness to rebound of energy demand,
• loss of control of critical energy assets.
• cyber and hybrid threat preparedness.
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GOOD PRACTICES at a glance (1/2)
• preserving supply to vulnerable customers;
• declaring the energy sector as an essential service;
• preserving free movement for specialised energy workers;
• preserving essential transport flows moving to ensure energy supply chains;
• well-functioning of the internal energy market;
• strong risk preparedness plans;
• strong business continuity and contingency plans;
• solidarity and cross-border coordination, communication and information sharing;
• teleworking for non-shift activities and non-core activities;
• rescheduling non-essential maintenance works;
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GOOD PRACTICES at a glance (2/2)
• hygiene and sanitary measures, as well as training on hygiene protocols;
• cross border assistance, cooperation and training for operators;
• redundancy of control rooms and implementation of remote control;
• establish base camps and reserves of volunteers for critical infrastructure;
• reduction of regular exchange of personal;
• pre-confinement of staff before accessing isolated locations;
• in key locations, early detection, evacuation measures and specific support to workers;
• reinforce cybersecurity measures and cooperation;
• pragmatic risk-based approach by national regulators, in particular the nuclear sector;
• attention to the economic impact on energy companies, subcontractors and investors.
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Conclusions
• The current energy preparedness and security regulatory framework provides a strong structure to ensure energy
security of supply.
• It is important to remain vigilant:
•
Redouble the coordination and information flows;
•
Consider extreme scenarios;
•
Cross-border preparedness, cooperation and mutual assistance;
•
Redundancy of critical elements and secured digitalisation of activities
•
Strong risk preparedness and business continuity plans;
•
The rebound of demand and the resilience of critical supply chains will require to remain attentive.
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Thank you
© European Union 2020
Unless otherwise noted the reuse of this presentation is authorised under the
CC BY 4.0 license. For any use or reproduction of elements that are
not owned by the EU, permission may need to be sought directly from the respective right holders.
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