After the attack on the power supply at the Tesla car factory in Grünheide near Berlin, protection of the energy networks is to be increased. The Federal Association for the Protection of Critical Infrastructures (BSKI) sees a lot of catching up to do. “There is still a huge area of activity here,” said the association’s deputy chairman, Hans-Walter Borries, on rbb Inforadio.
Energy suppliers and network operators would have to invest in security measures to install cameras, motion detectors and sensors on electricity poles in sensitive positions. “There needs to be greater sensitivity to security measures,” says Borries. Many electricity pylons are located in undeveloped areas, making it easy to get to these objects. The Federal Network Agency also sees the need to improve security and security.
The attack on the power supply has massive consequences for Tesla’s only European car factory: The company expects production to come to a standstill until the end of next week due to the power outage. In solidarity and as a sign of cohesion, many employees gathered in front of the plant in Grünheide on Friday evening.
Association pushes for legislative proposals for better protection
A spokeswoman for the Federal Network Agency told the German Press Agency about the attack on the electricity pylon: “The incident underlines the need for resilient energy supply structures in Germany.” With the Kritis umbrella law, the legislature is currently developing the requirements for the security of critical infrastructure, including against physical dangers. “The aim is to further increase the level of security.”
According to the Interior Ministry, the Federal Cabinet will deal with the so-called Kritis umbrella law in the first half of the year. The Federal Association for the Protection of Critical Infrastructures hopes that it will come into force this year “as a legally secure and binding order,” as Vice-Chairman Borries said. “It is the case that so far investments in corporate security have only been made in per thousand. In the future, we have to keep in mind that we will probably have to place a higher percentage of emphasis on corporate security.”
No date yet for Tesla to be resupplied
On Tuesday, previously unknown perpetrators set fire to a freely accessible electricity pylon in a field in eastern Brandenburg, which also ensures the supply to the car factory in Grünheide. The responsible electricity network operator Edis did not give a date for the resupply of Tesla and an Edeka logistics center with electricity. At this point it is also not possible to make a statement about the amount of damage, it said. Specialists worked hard on the construction site on the electricity pylon. According to Edis, security precautions on the site have also been increased.
The Federal Prosecutor’s Office took over the investigation after the attack. The highest prosecutor’s office sees initial suspicion, among other things, of membership in a terrorist organization, unconstitutional sabotage and communal arson. The left-wing extremist “Vulkan Group” had declared that it was responsible for the attack.
Employees flash their cell phones in front of the dark factory building
More than 2,000 employees and family members gathered on Friday evening in front of the dark Tesla factory, which is still without power, as Tesla factory manager André Thierig said. They flashed their cell phone lights. Thierig wrote on the career network LinkedIn on Friday evening that the employees were sending a clear signal against violence, for the solidarity of the workforce and “that we will not let ourselves be defeated.”
At the same time, protests against Tesla’s expansion plans continue. Environmentalists have been occupying a forest area since last week and building tree houses there. The “Turn off the tap from Tesla” alliance called for a protest demonstration this Sunday afternoon and is expecting several hundred participants.