Berlin Power Outage: Extremist Attack Disrupts 45,000 Homes

Approximately 45,000 households in southwest Berlin are without electricity after a fire damaged high-voltage power lines, an incident authorities are investigating as a politically motivated attack by far-left extremists. While power has been restored to some areas, around 35,000 customers may remain without power until Thursday.

Southwest Berlin Power Outage: Investigation Underway

The fire erupted Saturday morning on a cable bridge over the Teltow Canal near the Lichterfelde power plant, impacting 2,200 businesses and 45,000 households across four districts, disrupting access to electricity, internet, and heating.

An emergency shelter has been established for those affected, with a district care point available at a sports centre on Hüttenweg in Zehlendorf, according to a fire brigade spokesperson.

Authorities are working to verify the authenticity of a letter claiming responsibility for the incident. The letter, obtained by German media outlet rbb, was reportedly sent by the anarchist “Volcano Group” and detailed how the fire occurred.

Who is ‘Volcano Group’?

Security authorities have been monitoring “Volcano Group” since its founding in 2011. The Berlin Office for the Protection of the Constitution has investigated the group multiple times, including in 2011, 2013, 2018, 2019, and 2024.

Security expert Felix Neumann from the Konrad Adenauer Foundation described the group as belonging to the left-wing extremist spectrum. Analysis of previous letters attributed to the group indicates an anarchist ideology with a focus on climate change and the climate crisis.

The size and internal structure of the group remain unclear. It has primarily been active in Berlin and Brandenburg, previously targeting cable ducts, radio installations, and electricity pylons.

Previous Attacks on Berlin Power Grid

This is not the first instance of a large-scale power outage in Berlin following an arson attack. In September, an attack on an electricity pylon in Treptow-Köpenick left around 50,000 households and businesses without power for approximately 60 hours.

Authorities state the current outage is more severe. Around 2,000 households in Lichterfelde had their power restored Sunday night. However, residents in Nikolassee, Zehlendorf, and Wannsee are likely to remain without power until Thursday.