Four out of five Slovaks have experienced extreme weather. Is our critical infrastructure ready?

According to a survey by the European Investment Bank (EIB Climate Survey 2024), as many as 87% of Slovaks stated that they had experienced at least one extreme weather event in the past five years, such as heatwaves, drought, or severe storms. Nearly 30% of respondents recorded direct consequences, such as power outages or disrupted transport.

The year 2022 was one of the driest in Slovakia's modern history. In some areas, drought lasted more than 200 days. Summers are increasingly bringing repeated heatwaves, and intense storms are causing localised damage to roads, bridges, and railway lines. These are trends also confirmed by climatologists from the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute. Reality shows that climate risks are no longer exceptional events, but a regular part of the environment in which critical infrastructure operates.

Energy under new pressure

Climate extremes are arriving at a time when the energy system faces growing demands. Over the past decade, the number of devices and systems requiring stable and high energy output has increased significantly. These technologies include the massive expansion of electric vehicles and fast-charging stations, the growing number of data centres and cloud services, artificial intelligence systems with considerable computational demands, as well as air conditioning units in homes and businesses. Energy consumption in buildings has grown by approximately half since 2014, mainly due to higher demand for cooling and increased use of digital devices. This means the electricity grid is under greater strain precisely during heatwaves — at a time when extreme temperatures can reduce the efficiency of certain technical equipment. These are not dramatic scenarios, but a gradual increase in demands on grid stability and the need for its ongoing modernisation.

Critical infrastructure designed for long decades

Bridges, substations, railway lines, and water structures are built to last for decades. Many of them, however, were constructed during a period when different climatic parameters were assumed than those of today. For this reason, it is essential that new projects as well as reconstructions of existing systems take into account the conditions we can expect in the coming years. Investments in critical infrastructure have a long return horizon — and it is precisely for this reason that they also require long-term planning. Resilience in this context does not mean only the physical reinforcement of structures. It also means better risk analysis, updated scenarios, and ongoing assessments of preparedness.

The need for coordination and an expert approach

Critical infrastructure in Slovakia is divided among dozens of operators — both public and private. Climate risks affect all sectors simultaneously. It is therefore important to have professional cooperation and information exchange across the energy, transport, water management, and digital network sectors. An expert platform such as the Critical Infrastructure Association of the Slovak Republic (AKI SR) has long been providing a systematic expert approach to risk assessment and resilience planning. Critical Infrastructure Association of the Slovak Republic (AKI SR) also coordinates the sharing of experience among critical entities and increases their preparedness for various types of risks. Members of AKI SR have access to professional training and practical consultations, enabling them to respond effectively to risks and ensure the continuity of essential services.

The security of critical infrastructure today does not mean only protection against intentional threats. It also means the ability to keep critical systems functioning in an environment that is gradually changing. Climate change does not arrive suddenly. It is a long-term process that places new demands on planning, investment, and coordination. Preparedness and cooperation are the key to increasing the resilience of critical infrastructure in a changing world.