Electricity outages disrupt 80% of surveyed companies, yet most adapt by pursuing energy autonomy

21/ 01/ 2026

The results of the European Business Association’s ad hoc survey “Impact of electricity outages on business operations” reveal that power supply disruptions complicate operations for the majority of its members (80%). Only a fifth (20%) stated that the outages had no impact on their work, underscoring the widespread effects of electricity issues. Among the primary consequences of outages, companies most frequently cite increased production costs (61%), changes in working hours (58%), reductions in production volumes or service provision (50%), and downtime (48%). Financially, this impact is predominantly estimated as a 10–30% increase in goods/services costs, with only a portion of businesses managing to keep this figure within the 2–5% range. Most companies manage to fulfil their obligations; only 9% of the surveyed companies report that power outages have led to breaches of contract. Autonomy and alternative sources In response to these challenges, businesses are actively investing in energy independence: 90% of surveyed companies report having their own alternative energy sources or generation capabilities. Nearly 23% of surveyed companies achieve full energy independence. The remaining 38% mostly cover their needs, while another 38% have only partial coverage. Among the solutions businesses are implementing or planning to implement for energy supply, energy storage systems, and solar power generation, these take the lead, chosen by 35% and 26% of respondents, respectively. Companies are also investing in new networks and infrastructure (21%), while a smaller share is considering gas (5%), biogas (3%) or wind power generation (1%). Expectations from the state Regarding necessary support, businesses most often highlight the need for financial incentives and predictability. Key requests include: Cost compensation for backup power, removal of duties and VAT on equipment, and affordable lending (e.g., ‘5-7-9%’ programme). Businesses require transparent outage schedules and timely communication to plan production cycles reliably. Simplify permitting for generation capacity and suspend inspections that impede operations. At the same time, a significant proportion of respondents do not rely on government support. For information: The survey was conducted from January 14 to 19, 2026, among member companies of the European Business Association. Representatives of 79 companies participated in the survey.

The results of the European Business Association’s ad hoc survey “Impact of electricity outages on business operations” reveal that power supply disruptions complicate operations for the majority of its members (80%). Only a fifth (20%) stated that the outages had no impact on their work, underscoring the widespread effects of electricity issues.

Among the primary consequences of outages, companies most frequently cite increased production costs (61%), changes in working hours (58%), reductions in production volumes or service provision (50%), and downtime (48%). Financially, this impact is predominantly estimated as a 10–30% increase in goods/services costs, with only a portion of businesses managing to keep this figure within the 2–5% range.

Most companies manage to fulfil their obligations; only 9% of the surveyed companies report that power outages have led to breaches of contract.

Autonomy and alternative sources

In response to these challenges, businesses are actively investing in energy independence: 90% of surveyed companies report having their own alternative energy sources or generation capabilities.

Nearly 23% of surveyed companies achieve full energy independence. The remaining 38% mostly cover their needs, while another 38% have only partial coverage.

Among the solutions businesses are implementing or planning to implement for energy supply, energy storage systems, and solar power generation, these take the lead, chosen by 35% and 26% of respondents, respectively. Companies are also investing in new networks and infrastructure (21%), while a smaller share is considering gas (5%), biogas (3%) or wind power generation (1%).

Expectations from the state

Regarding necessary support, businesses most often highlight the need for financial incentives and predictability. Key requests include:

Cost compensation for backup power, removal of duties and VAT on equipment, and affordable lending (e.g., ‘5-7-9%’ programme).
Businesses require transparent outage schedules and timely communication to plan production cycles reliably.
Simplify permitting for generation capacity and suspend inspections that impede operations.

At the same time, a significant proportion of respondents do not rely on government support.

For information:

The survey was conducted from January 14 to 19, 2026, among member companies of the European Business Association. Representatives of 79 companies participated in the survey.