Özdemir calls for better protection for energy facilities after acts of sabotage

In view of the recent attacks on substations, Baden-Württemberg's Prime Minister Cem Özdemir is questioning the protection of security-relevant infrastructure against sabotage and is calling for more speed. The states need to significantly increase the protection of their energy systems, the Green politician told the Editorial Network Germany (RND).

«We are vulnerable. Our opponents know that,” said Özdemir. Attacks on particularly sensitive points could be aimed at unsettling the population.

The state should not allow itself to be paralyzed by this, but it must take the dangers seriously. The Green politician mentioned surveillance cameras and additional fencing as possible protective measures. “All of this must now be done at full speed,” he said.

“got off relatively lightly”

Özdemir referred to the fire in a Reutlingen substation at the beginning of June. As a result, the power supply to around 7,600 households was temporarily interrupted. Substations have also recently been the target of attacks in Brandenburg and North Rhine-Westphalia. There was also a drone incident at Leipzig/Halle Airport in which, according to previous information, an attack was only narrowly prevented.

“We got off relatively lightly,” said Özdemir. “But as countries we are well advised to give the issue high priority and work together as closely as possible.” The security situation has changed fundamentally. Regardless of the perpetrator groups, Germany must be prepared for such threats and make its critical infrastructure more resilient.