Berlin power outage: why tens of thousands remain without electricity
A large-scale power outage that struck southwest Berlin on Saturday morning is expected to continue at least until Thursday, according to the city’s grid operator. As a result, tens of thousands of residents remain without electricity, telephone service, and heating, reports NewsToday24 citing Stromnetz Berlin.
Current data show that approximately 45,000 households are affected by the outage, with both power supply and telecommunications disrupted. In many buildings, heating systems have also failed, significantly worsening the situation amid winter temperatures. In addition to residential areas, around 2,200 commercial customers have been impacted, including businesses and service-sector facilities.
Stromnetz Berlin stated that in the Lichterfelde district there is a chance to restore electricity more quickly for roughly 10,000 households. However, for most of the affected areas, the outage is expected to last several more days, as repair work remains complex and technically demanding.
Targeted arson attack identified as cause
Law enforcement authorities have confirmed that the widespread blackout was caused by deliberate arson. A fire broke out behind a container, damaging several major cable routes. Police and fire services have been operating around the clock since the incident. Crime scene investigators from the State Criminal Police Office secured footprints on a snow-covered riverside path leading to the scene and collected snow samples for forensic analysis.
Investigators believe the perpetrators must have possessed detailed knowledge of the city’s energy infrastructure. Possible motives under review include actions by left-wing extremist groups. Security sources have also not ruled out the possibility of external involvement, including a scenario linked to Russia in the context of support for Ukraine.
Response from Berlin authorities
Berlin’s Senator for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises, Franziska Giffey, described the outage as particularly severe. According to her, not only residential buildings and businesses have been affected, but also hospitals, care facilities, and numerous social institutions. She noted that the scale of the incident exceeds the power outage that occurred in Adlershof in September 2025 and emphasized that freezing temperatures and frozen ground are complicating repair efforts.
Giffey urged residents who are able to do so to temporarily stay with friends or relatives outside the affected areas. Berlin’s police and fire departments continue to inform the public about safety measures and emergency plans.
Severe cold intensifies the crisis
The situation is further aggravated by a sharp drop in temperatures. Weather forecasts predict a prolonged period of freezing conditions in Berlin. Meteorologist Dominik Jung said nighttime temperatures could fall to minus 10 degrees Celsius, with persistent frost and intermittent snowfall expected in the coming days.
Emergency shelters and assistance points
Authorities in the Steglitz-Zehlendorf district, together with humanitarian organizations, have begun preparing emergency shelters for affected residents. Sports halls and other public buildings are expected to be used, although specific locations have not yet been announced.
The Berlin Fire Department has already established three assistance and information points: at Wannsee Town Hall, Mexikoplatz, and the Carl Schumann sports complex on Osdorfer Street. More than 350 firefighters, along with personnel from the Federal Agency for Technical Relief and other organizations, are involved in providing emergency power supplies and heated tents at key locations.
Recommendations for residents
Emergency services advise residents in the affected areas to conserve heat indoors, avoid using open flames whenever possible, and closely follow official updates from the police and fire department. In case of health issues or emergency situations, residents are encouraged to seek help at the nearest assistance points, where information, warmth, and immediate support are available.
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