Berlin, Germany – Tesla’s Gigafactory in Berlin faced a major setback today as it had to shut down production due to a significant power outage, possibly caused by sabotage.
This closure comes after a series of challenges for the automaker’s only factory in Europe. Initially, production was halted due to supply issues arising from difficulties in transporting cargo ships through the Gulf of Aden and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait amidst the civil war in Yemen. Subsequently, local residents of Grünheide, the municipality where the factory is located, voted against the expansion plans that required clearing over 100 hectares of forest.
Environmental activists also protested by setting up camp in the forest outside the factory to obstruct the expansion efforts. Now, the factory had to evacuate its workers and halt production following a suspected sabotage in the power supply.
Reports suggest that unknown individuals set fire to a high-voltage pylon, causing a power outage affecting around 2,000 people, including Gigafactory Berlin. Although no one has claimed responsibility for the attack, speculations point towards Tesla being the target based on the timing and location of the incident.
Despite the security measures taken by Tesla to safeguard the production facilities, it remains uncertain when production can resume due to the power situation. The company acknowledged that restarting production swiftly is unlikely after consulting with the electricity provider EDIS.
Gigafactory Berlin is known for producing the Model Y, the first electric vehicle to achieve the status of the best-selling car globally. Tesla’s environmental initiatives at the factory aim to address concerns raised by activists regarding water usage and deforestation, including commitments to reduce water consumption and replant more trees than removed.
While Tesla works towards producing cleaner electric vehicles, actions like setting fire to electrical infrastructure only hinder progress. Such incidents not only disrupt operations but also negate the positive impact of transitioning to electric transportation.