Tesla had to halt production and evacuate its plant today due to a potential power sabotage.
According to media reports, in the early hours of Tuesday morning, unknown persons set fire to a substation of a high-voltage power transmission line between Steinfurt and Hartmannsdorf. The fire left about 2,000 residents of the surrounding communities without electricity. The Tesla Gigafactory Berlin was also de-energised.
Brandenburg state Interior Minister Michael Steubgen said it was a "treacherous attack" on the energy infrastructure. Police have launched an investigation.
Rescuers found an activists' tent near the scene. Last week, media reported that 80 to 100 environmental activists had occupied part of a forest in Brandenburg near the Tesla plant. If the plant expands, this forest will be cleared. In mid-February, the residents of Grünheide rejected this Tesla initiative by a majority vote in a referendum.
Currently, the Tesla plant occupies 300 hectares. The company plans to expand it by 170 hectares and build additional warehouses to reduce its dependence on component supplies from China. The rhythm of such deliveries has been disrupted in recent months by attacks by Yemeni Houthis on ships in the Red Sea, hampering international shipping.
Tesla said it has taken steps to secure production facilities. After consulting with power supplier Edis, the carmaker does not expect production to resume quickly.
