Germany's energy infrastructure risks move into focus after Berlin power grid sabotage

The ramifications of the ongoing Berlin power outage, caused by an attack on the city’s electricity grid on 3 January, continue to shake the German capital as calls increase for investigations, greater security and growing concern in other regions of the country. An arson attack that damaged high-voltage cables near a combined power and heating station triggered the blackout in southwest Berlin, temporarily leaving 45,400 households and 2,200 businesses without power.

Berlin's senator for economic affairs, Franziska Giffey, called for a swift federal investigation following the attack, for which a left-wing extremist group has claimed responsibility, public broadcaster ARD reported. Giffey demanded federal support for the investigation, arguing that assistance in the investigation was essential. "The question is, are these just left-wing activist groups driven by ideology, or is there more to it?"

Meanwhile, the Federation of German Industries (BDI) joined energy industry representatives in criticising transparency requirements for critical energy facilities that it said facilitated the attack, news magazine Der Spiegel reported. "Transparency must not create vulnerabilities or expose points of attack for potential attackers," said Holger Lösch, deputy managing director of the BDI. "Security-relevant details must neither be publicly accessible nor fall into the wrong hands."

The German Bundestag is currently debating a reform of legal regulations regarding the protection of critical infrastructure, including sectors that ensure the supply of essential goods and services. The reform could also provide an opportunity to revise the current transparency requirements.

The attack also led to greater focus on security measures in other parts of Germany: In Lower Saxony, grid operators Avacon and TenneT said they were taking measures to protect vital infrastructure, much of which is underground, which provides some protection. Avacon told public broadcaster NDR that there was no guarantee against extreme criminal intent, noting that some energy infrastructure runs above ground. The company stated that it was monitoring the evolving threat landscape and how to protect itself against attacks as closely as possible.

TenneT said it takes potential attacks "very seriously" and was working closely with security authorities. "To protect these systems and infrastructures as effectively as possible," TenneT generally does not disclose details of its specific security measures. Grid operator EWE noted that while some transformer stations could be targeted, in the event of an attack, power could be quickly rerouted and restored to households.