What's happened
On Saturday, a suspected arson attack by the far-left extremist group Volcano Group damaged high-voltage cables near Berlin's Lichterfelde power plant, causing a blackout affecting about 45,000 households and 2,200 businesses. The outage, the longest since WWII in Berlin, disrupted hospitals, schools, and public transport. Restoration efforts continue amid freezing weather, with full power expected by Thursday, January 15.
What's behind the headline?
Political and Security Implications
The attack exposes vulnerabilities in Berlin's critical infrastructure, highlighting the challenges of protecting urban energy grids against politically motivated sabotage. The Volcano Group's targeting of fossil-fuel infrastructure reflects a radical environmentalist agenda that prioritizes symbolic disruption over public safety, as the blackout endangered vulnerable populations including hospital patients and the elderly.
Impact on Governance and Public Trust
Berlin's Mayor Kai Wegner faced criticism for his handling of the crisis, with opposition parties accusing him of neglect during the emergency. This incident underscores the political risks leaders face when infrastructure failures intersect with public safety and political extremism.
Broader Context and Future Risks
Germany's heightened alertness to sabotage, including concerns about foreign interference, adds complexity to the security landscape. The persistence of groups like Volcano Group, active since 2011, suggests ongoing threats to energy infrastructure. Repair delays due to freezing weather exacerbate the human impact, emphasizing the need for resilient infrastructure and rapid response capabilities.
Forecast
Expect increased investment in infrastructure security and intelligence operations targeting extremist groups. Politically, this event may fuel debates on balancing environmental activism with public safety and could influence coalition dynamics in Berlin and Brandenburg. Public confidence in energy reliability and government crisis management will be tested in the coming months.
What the papers say
The Guardian detailed the ideological motives of the Volcano Group, quoting their pamphlet condemning "greed for energy" and linking the attack to climate activism and opposition to AI data centers. Politico highlighted the political fallout, reporting opposition criticism of Mayor Kai Wegner's response, with Tobias Schulze of Die Linke calling it a "lack of responsibility" and the AfD demanding Wegner's resignation. AP News and The Times of Israel provided operational details, noting the scale of the blackout and ongoing restoration efforts, while emphasizing the domestic intelligence agency's long-term monitoring of the Volcano Group. The New Arab and Sky News focused on the human impact, describing emergency shelters and the challenges posed by freezing temperatures. Together, these sources offer a comprehensive view of the incident's political, social, and security dimensions.
How we got here
The blackout was triggered by an arson attack on a cable bridge over the Teltow Canal near the Lichterfelde power plant. The far-left group Volcano Group claimed responsibility, targeting fossil-fuel infrastructure to protest climate change and energy greed. Berlin has faced similar attacks before, including a 2024 sabotage at a Tesla factory and a September 2025 power outage.
Go deeper
- Who are the Volcano Group and what motivates their attacks?
- How is Berlin improving infrastructure security after the blackout?
- What political consequences has the blackout had for Berlin's leadership?
Common question
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Why Are Power Grids Being Targeted in Berlin?
Recent attacks on Berlin's power grid have raised serious concerns about energy security and political extremism. Understanding why these attacks happen, what risks they pose, and how authorities respond is crucial for staying informed. Below, we explore the motivations behind these incidents, their potential impact, and whether similar threats exist elsewhere.
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Berlin is the capital and largest city of Germany by both area and population. Its 3,769,495 inhabitants make it the most populous city proper of the European Union. The city is one of Germany's 16 federal states.
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Franziska Giffey is a German politician of the Social Democratic Party who served as Minister for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth in the government of Chancellor Angela Merkel from 2018 until 2021.