The recent power outage that has shaken Spain and Portugal has left thousands of businesses and companies in a critical situation, hindering the normal development of activity and affecting the daily lives of millions of people. The magnitude of the incident extended from early afternoon (12:30 p.m.), disrupting the electricity supply, communications, public transport and electronic transactions in much of the peninsula.
If your business has been directly affected by this blackoutYou're probably wondering how to best handle the situation while things get back to normal. From problems serving customers to the loss of stored products or the inability to collect payments online, this incident has tested both the responsiveness and creativity of small businesses and retailers.
Immediate impact on local businesses and economy
From the very beginning, the lack of electricity paralyzed the operation of businesses. and small businesses of all kinds: restaurants had to improvise menus adapted to the lack of electric stoves, supermarkets and grocery stores saw their refrigerated products in danger, and many stores were unable to process card or Bizum payments. The lack of internet made daily operations even more difficult., forcing merchants and employees to seek emergency solutions.
Many locals opted for serve products that could be offered at room temperature, while in other cases, managers decided to place sales on credit and write down the amounts for customers to pay later. These types of improvised measures helped maintain some activity, but The risk of losing perishable food and suffering economic losses is a reality with every minute that passes without power..
La The lack of a digital collection system particularly affected SMEs., since payment methods and ATMs were not available, the only way to collect payments was in cash. This significantly reduced cash flow and left those who only carried cards out of the loop, forcing many customers to abandon purchases. Furthermore, businesses that rely exclusively on technology or remote work saw their operations paralyzed and, in many cases, lost data and ongoing business.
Specific consequences for the hospitality industry and small businesses
Faced with the impossibility of using the refrigerator or freezer, Many establishments are considering donating products that are likely to be lost to food banks or local associations., thus minimizing the impact and avoiding food waste. However, it is assumed that Economic losses can exceed several thousand euros for each day without supply, something that can be difficult for small businesses to assume.
Regarding insurance coverage, those responsible for the affected premises point out that Many policies do not cover this type of incident caused by general and prolonged power outages., which complicates the possibility of recovering the money invested in damaged products or equipment.
What to do to protect your business during a massive blackout
Faced with an unexpected situation like this, There are some measures that can help reduce the impact on your business and protect both the interests of your customers and your own activity.:
- Annotate manually Sales and debts from customers who cannot pay at that time but are regular customers, to ensure payment when the power is restored.
- If you work with perishable foods, prioritize quick sale or donation before they can spoil.
- Minimize the opening of chambers and freezers to delay the rise in temperature inside.
- Communicate the situation clearly to your customers and keep them informed about possible solutions or alternatives for payment.
- Check disconnect sensitive electrical equipment to prevent damage from power surges when the power returns.
- Consider hiring an emergency generator if your business relies heavily on electricity and your budget allows for it.
Institutional collaboration and response from the authorities
From the outset, regional and state administrations have activated emergency protocols. to coordinate the response to the power outage. Crisis teams have been set up in several regions, and citizens have been asked to only use 112 in the event of a serious emergency.
La The General Directorate of Traffic advises limiting travel, as traffic lights and information panels have stopped working, complicating traffic and increasing the risk of accidents. Similarly, The institutional priority is to restore normality to basic services as soon as possible. such as healthcare and citizen security. Hospitals and critical care centers have operated on generators, although many medical procedures and tests have had to be temporarily suspended.
The importance of being prepared and learning from the incident
The blackout has highlighted the need for businesses to have contingency plans. and be prepared to respond to unforeseen events of this magnitude. Small and medium-sized 100% digital businesses have been particularly vulnerable lacking alternatives when internet access and electricity are interrupted.
The experience of those who have suffered prolonged power outages in other contexts can help anticipate future crises: from maintaining a minimum inventory, to diversifying payment methods, to considering the installation of alternative energy sources.
Furthermore, in case of damage to equipment due to the return of powerSome administrations, such as the Community of Madrid, will allow claims if the power outage lasts for a certain period and affects most of the territory. Even so, the uncertainty requires seeking quick solutions and joining forces with suppliers, customers, and public entities.
The recent electricity crisis has shown to what extent Economic activity depends on basic services such as electricity and communicationsThe rapid adaptation of businesses, the patience of customers, and the efforts of human resources have allowed us to weather the most critical hours, but the episode invites us to reflect on the importance of prevention and the ability to react to major system failures. Being prepared and supporting the most vulnerable sectors, such as small businesses, can make all the difference the next time an unforeseen event of this magnitude occurs.