I work on powerlines for a living. I've worked with electricity most of my life. If an event like this takes place, I will be one of the few who will be tasked with putting things back together. Just remember I have a family I have to protect too. Just as all my coworkers do. I will have to balance protecting my family with repairing the system. We all know which will be more personally important.
In the last few years we have had simulated scenarios in my company. They told us it was a practice drill in case there was a disease breakout. A dry run to simulate handing out medication to first responders. I don't believe it. I think it was simulating something entirely different. Possibly mobilization for an occurance like this. I think the elite are more worried about this than is let on. I know a power outage like what we're talking about is my single greatest worry.
If it does happen (a Carrington like event). It will take a lot of work and a VERY long time to repair all the damage. In reality I'm sure most lines wouldn't be repaired at all. The damage would be so widespread that we would have to bring back corridors of power. And reenergize population centers instead of whole cities. Seems to me that would be just what some govt agencies would love. It's a scary thought.