Berlin, September 3 – Investigations are intensifying across Germany following a series of attacks on the power grid in southern Brandenburg and North Rhine-Westphalia. Authorities are actively searching for the perpetrators and their motives behind these acts of sabotage. Herbert Reul (CDU), North Rhine-Westphalia’s Interior Minister, stated on Wednesday evening in the ZDF “heute journal” that there are “many parallels” between the incidents, though the identities of those responsible remain unclear.
Calls for Enhanced Critical Infrastructure Protection
The incidents have sparked widespread calls from politicians, trade unions, and associations for increased investment in the protection of critical infrastructure. There is also a demand to grant operators more rights and to develop a “backup system for emergencies” within the power grid.
No Confessions Yet, Multiple Avenues of Investigation
Brandenburg’s Interior Minister Jan Redmann (CDU) confirmed that investigations are proceeding in all directions. As of now, no confession letters have been made public for either of the two incidents, which occurred in quick succession. Reul indicated on Wednesday that authorities are examining “two directions: foreign-state-directed sabotage and left-wing extremism.”
Security agencies attribute several sabotage actions in recent years to left-wing extremist perpetrators, partly due to authentic confession letters. However, Redmann noted that the execution of the attack in Brandenburg differs from these previous cases. He also added that there is currently no indication that “a foreign power is behind it and acted with intelligence methods.”
Striking Parallels in Attack Methods
Investigators have identified striking similarities in the two incidents:
- Turnow-Preilack (Brandenburg): On Tuesday morning, unknown individuals launched an attack on the power supply near the Turnow-Preilack substation, close to the Jänschwalde power plant. According to Redmann, they used homemade projectiles, similar to fireworks, to direct conductive material towards high-voltage lines.
- Bergheim (North Rhine-Westphalia): On Tuesday evening, a malfunction occurred at a substation in Bergheim near Cologne. Reul reported that unknown individuals placed cables over the overhead line, causing a short circuit.
In the vicinity of both locations, authorities discovered launching devices and pyrotechnics, which may have been installed some time ago. Investigators believe both incidents are attributable to anti-constitutional sabotage.
Debate on Operator Rights and Security Measures
The attacks have intensified discussions about the consequences and how critical infrastructure can be better protected in the future. Reul called for a debate on the rights of critical infrastructure operators. He emphasized the need for societal consensus on what these operators should be allowed to do. “What are they allowed to do? Are they allowed to operate video systems? Are they allowed to have their own drone defense in the future, for example? These are questions that will now have to be answered,” the CDU politician stated on ZDF’s “heute journal.”
Greens Demand Comprehensive Security Concept
Irene Mihalic, a Green Party politician, criticized Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) for serious shortcomings in protecting critical infrastructure. “Our country is very inadequately prepared for attacks on critical infrastructure, and that must change quickly,” the parliamentary managing director of the Green Party parliamentary group told the “Handelsblatt.” She added, “We expect the Federal Minister of the Interior to present a comprehensive security concept for our country as part of the current budget negotiations and finally do his homework on the protection of critical infrastructure.”
Defining Critical Infrastructure
Critical infrastructure encompasses all sectors whose impairment or failure can lead to supply shortages, disruptions to public safety, and other dramatic consequences. These include energy, information technology, transport, traffic, health, water, food, finance and insurance, state and administration, and media.
Reul stressed that not every substation can be guarded by police. Instead, those who operate the facilities must be empowered and enabled to better protect them, which he believes can be regulated “relatively quickly.”
Police Union and Industry Call for Investment and Data Protection Adjustments
The German Police Union (DPolG) echoed this sentiment, stating that protecting critical infrastructure is not primarily a police task but rather the responsibility of the operators themselves. “Whoever is responsible for the safety of their facilities must also invest in their protection,” said Heiko Teggatz, federal chairman of the union. He lamented a lack of consistent investment rather than technical capabilities.
Kerstin Andreae, CEO of the German Association of Energy and Water Industries (BDEW), called for a rethinking of data protection regulations. She told the “Rheinische Post” (Thursday) that regulations must be adjusted “so that adjacent public areas can also be legally monitored by camera.” Detailed information and plans for critical infrastructure should not be freely accessible to potential attackers.
Backup Systems for the Power Grid
The German Renewable Energy Federation (BEE) advocated for a “backup system for emergencies” in the power grid. BEE President Ursula Heinen-Esser told the “Rheinische Post” that bioenergy and hydropower, for instance, are black-start capable, meaning they can be quickly restarted after a power outage without external power supply. “Battery storage can also step in at short notice in an emergency and provide cheap electricity.”
Source: dpa-infocom, dpa:260903-930-624899/1
