Morning Memo: Germany - Left Domestic Terrorism Causes Days of Power Outages
Insights into the January 2026 Berlin Blackout Attributed to Far-Left Activism
Executive Summary
A deliberate arson attack in early January 2026 plunged parts of southwestern Berlin into darkness, cutting power and heating to tens of thousands during a harsh winter spell. Claimed by the far-left Volcano Group as a strike against fossil fuels, the incident exposed critical infrastructure fragilities while sparking debates on extremism, energy dependence, and resilience. Though power was largely restored within days, the event affected around 100,000 residents, disrupted essential services, and triggered a federal terrorism probe. This overview draws on recent developments to illuminate the facts, motivations, and broader lessons for energy security in a transitioning Europe.
Responsible Group
The Vulkangruppe, or Volcano Group, a far-left anarchist collective, publicly claimed the sabotage in a detailed online manifesto. 2 5 Active since at least 2011 and classified by German intelligence as left-wing extremists, the group has a track record of targeting energy infrastructure, including a 2024 attack near Tesla’s Berlin factory. 1 3 Their statement framed the action as “self-defense” against the “fossil fuel economy” and an “imperial mode of living,” regretting unintended effects on ordinary people but prioritizing disruption to affluent areas and data centers. 6 8 Authorities have validated the claim, with no indications of foreign involvement, though investigations continue to explore potential links. 0 4
Methods and Devices Employed
Perpetrators used incendiary devices to ignite a fire under high-voltage cables spanning the Teltow Canal near the Lichterfelde combined heat and power plant. 3 8 The blaze, set early on January 3, destroyed a cable duct and severed multiple lines, causing immediate and widespread failure. 1 7 No sophisticated explosives or digital hacks were involved; the low-tech approach exploited accessible, exposed infrastructure, generating heat intense enough to mimic a blast’s damage. 0 The group detailed their tactics in their claim, emphasizing the “DIY” nature of such disruptions. 5
Financing Insights
No concrete evidence of external financing has surfaced in reports or investigations. 4 As a decentralized anarchist network, the Volcano Group likely operates on minimal resources, possibly self-funded through members or informal support within radical circles. 6 The simplicity of the attack—requiring little more than basic materials—suggests no need for substantial backing, and authorities have not linked it to state actors or organized sponsors. 0 3
Attack Locations
The sabotage targeted a single vulnerable point: a cable bridge over the Teltow Canal adjacent to the Lichterfelde gas-fired power station in southwestern Berlin. 1 5 This impacted upscale neighborhoods like Zehlendorf, Wannsee, Nikolassee, Lichterfelde, and Dahlem, which the group labeled as enclaves of the “ruling class.” 0 8 No additional sites were hit, though it echoes prior incidents, such as the 2024 Tesla-related outage. 1
Scope of Impact
The blackout initially struck about 45,000 households and over 2,200 businesses, affecting an estimated 100,000 individuals. 0 2 4 Amid sub-zero temperatures and snow, it disrupted heating, internet, public transport, and critical facilities including four hospitals, 74 care homes, and 20 schools. 3 Vulnerable populations faced evacuations, with nursing homes relying on generators and residents enduring frigid conditions. 0 8 Described as Berlin’s longest post-WWII outage, it highlighted urban vulnerabilities, though data centers in the area reportedly remained operational. 1 6
Government Actions
Classified as terrorism, the case was escalated to federal prosecutors on January 6, pursuing charges of arson, sabotage, and terrorist affiliation. 1 7 Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner condemned it as life-endangering extremism, urging rapid arrests. 1 Grid operator Stromnetz Berlin mobilized repairs, restoring power to most areas by January 7, with full recovery by January 8. 0 7 Enhanced police patrols, emergency aid for affected groups, and calls to restrict public grid data access followed. 3 Broader policy discussions include bolstering infrastructure against extremism, amid stalled funding for resilience initiatives. 8
Key Takeaways
This episode reveals how radical activism can exploit energy transitions, turning symbolic strikes into real hardships. It prompts reflection on balancing environmental urgency with public safety, the risks of exposed infrastructure, and the need for diversified, hardened systems. As Europe pushes toward renewables, such events underscore the human costs of disruption and the imperative for proactive defenses.
References
[0] Thousands of Berliners lost power for days after climate activists … - https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/07/europe/berlin-power-outage-intl [1] Power restored in Berlin after longest blackout since World War Two - https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/berlin-restore-power-after-arson-attack-causes-record-outage-2026-01-07/ [2] Activist group says it was behind Berlin fire that cut power to thousands - https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c78v984ywgeo [3] ‘How is it possible?’: Berliners demand answers after sabotage … - https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/07/how-is-it-possible-berliners-demand-answers-after-sabotage-causes-blackout [4] German police struggle to identify suspects behind Berlin power … - https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/german-police-struggle-to-identify-suspects-behind-berlin-power-outage/3793354 [5] Shutting down fossil-fuel power plants is DIY. Have courage! - https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/volcano-group-shutting-down-fossil-fuel-power-plants-is-diy-have-courage [6] Activists responsible for Berlin power cuts cite data centers in … - https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/activists-responsible-for-berlin-power-cuts-cite-data-centers-in-pamphlet/ [7] Berlin Restores Power After Four-Day Blackout, Exposes Mobility … - https://www.visahq.com/news/2026-01-08/de/berlin-restores-power-after-four-day-blackout-exposes-mobility-vulnerabilities/ [8] Red Flag: Power outage in Berlin — was this far-left terrorism? - https://theleftberlin.com/red-flag-power-outage-berlin/