Since the January 3, 2026 there is a new building in the southwest of Berlin massive power failure, which paralyzed several thousand households and businesses. The interruption to the power supply is the result of a Arson attack on a cable bridge over the Teltow Canal near the Lichterfelde power station, in which several high- and medium-voltage cables were severely damaged. Although the supply has been partially restored, it is expected that a far-reaching normalization is only possible on Thursday - several days after the start of the outage.
Cause: Incendiary devices damage central lines
According to police investigations, incendiary devices were placed under the supply cables, triggering a fire that destroyed five high-voltage cables and ten medium-voltage cables. The damage is considerable: the destruction of these cable harnesses not only caused a power cut, but also District heating, mobile communications and internet services were affected at times. The authorities assume a deliberate attack on the electricity infrastructure from.
Why the repair takes so long
There are several technical and logistical reasons for the lengthy repair work:
- Complexity of the cable technology: The damaged cables consist of different cable technologies (e.g. plastic and oil cables), the connection of which requires special expertise and specific tools.
- Working under difficult conditions: For a professional connection, the cables must be installed in the most dust-free environment and with plus temperatures be brought together. This sometimes requires the digging of deep excavation pits and the deployment of specially trained specialists.
- Temporary and permanent solutions: While some households have already been reconnected to the grid, work is continuing in parallel on a permanent repair of the cable bridge which takes more time. This is one of the main reasons why the full recovery takes longer. is expected several days after the incident - probably by Thursday.
Scope of the impact
In total, initially around 45,000 households and around 2,200 commercial enterprises affected, especially in the districts Zehlendorf, Nikolassee, Wannsee and Lichterfelde. In some cases, thousands of households were initially provisionally supplied again, but Thousands more are expected to be without regular power supply until Thursday.
The outage hits Berlin during a period of cold winter weather and has already led to School closures, local transport restrictions and the establishment of warming rooms led. The Berlin administration has a Major damage situation declared, to coordinate emergency services and provide additional resources.
Investigations and security issues
The investigation into the arson attack continues. Security authorities are examining a Letter of confession from a left-wing extremist group, which is said to have claimed responsibility for the crime. The attack has also sparked discussions about the Vulnerability of critical infrastructure and the question of how such systems can be better protected in the future.
Sources:
- t-online.de (Berlin region) https://berlin.t-online.de/region/berlin/id_101066678/berlin-stromausfall-wegner-spricht-von-terrorismus-newsblog.html
- t-online.de (Digital & Security) https://www.t-online.de/digital/sicherheit/id_101067532/strom-anschlag-in-berlin-wegner-nennt-blackout-terrorismus.html
- Der Tagesspiegel - Liveblog on the power outage https://www.tagesspiegel.de/berlin/liveblog/blackout-in-berlin-immer-noch-30000-haushalte-ohne-strom-nrw-schickt-notstrom-anhanger-15099957.html
- Der Tagesspiegel - Analysis of repair times https://www.tagesspiegel.de/berlin/stromausfall-bis-donnerstag-wieso-dauert-die-reparatur-in-berlin-so-lange-15100638.html
What well-prepared households need now - lessons from the Berlin blackout
The widespread power outage in Berlin has once again shown that many people are ill-prepared for longer interruptions to energy or supply systems. In several German households, supplies were not even sufficient for a few days, and basic necessities such as water or food were missing. Recent guides point out how a Useful emergency stock without panic, but with a realistic view of the risks.
Minimum stock - what authorities recommend
Official crisis preparedness recommendations assume that a household should be able to act independently for around ten days. In practice this means:
- Water: At least two liters per person per day, preferably more, as the body and hygiene are affected.
- Food: High-energy, long-life staple foods that are used in everyday life anyway.
These figures are not an arbitrary precaution, but are based on the recommendations of the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance.
This belongs in a realistic stock
Experts advise that supplies should not be seen as an „adventure ration“, but as a Supplementary everyday storage:
- Drinks: Water in stable containers or canisters.
- Food: Pasta, rice, couscous, oatmeal, crispbread, canned food (vegetables, pulses, fish, meat), nuts.
- Nutrient mix: Sufficient calories, but also a balanced mix to avoid an unbalanced diet.
- Medication and hygiene: Regularly required medication, disinfectants, hygiene articles.
Consumer advocates emphasize: Stocks should only contain food that you really eat. Products that are otherwise never on the menu are quickly forgotten and spoil, which is not only ineffective but also expensive.
Devices and aids for emergencies
A supply alone is not enough for a continuous blackout. In addition to water and food, authorities and experts recommend the following power-independent devices to be kept ready:
- Battery-powered or crank radios, to receive important information even without power.
- Flashlights and spare batteries for orientation in the dark.
- Power banks and small solar chargers, to charge communication devices in an emergency.
- Document security: Keep copies of important documents (insurance, ID, emergency contacts) handy and protected.
According to experts, radios in particular are important because they work without a mobile network and can continue to provide citizens with local alerts.
What experts expressly do not recommend
Consumer advocates warn against expensive pre-packed „Survival“ sets, that are offered on the Internet. These packages often contain too little food, no water or essential ingredients and are ineffective in terms of value for money. They usually offer no real added value compared to a self-assembled stock of normal products.
Why preparation is solidarity
An emergency stockpile is not an expression of fear or mistrust, but of responsible thinking: Those who can cover their own needs also relieve the burden on emergency services and social institutions in a crisis situation. Authorities emphasize that stockpiling and preparation are also important for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, families with children or the chronically ill.
Source: Fear of a blackout like the one in Berlin: you need these emergency supplies now, Focus Online, January 4, 2026 (Focus)
Deutsch
English