Power outage costs Berlin economy millions of euros

A power outage after an arson attack has caused massive losses for businesses in the German capital. Many were ill-prepared for a crisis of the magnitude experienced. Entrepreneurs were left scrambling for ways to power their machines.

A days‑long power outage in a historic Berlin industrial complex left most of the 150 companies unable to operate, highlighting the vulnerability of critical infrastructure. Only a few businesses, such as Vinter Design, managed to continue operating by creatively harnessing electricity from an electric car, DW reported.

According to the regional business association, 3,000 companies across Berlin were affected, resulting in millions of euros in losses as production lines, roasteries, and bakeries came to a standstill. Emergency generators provided only a fraction of the needed power, leading to spoiled goods and halted operations. The incident, caused by a targeted attack on the power grid, underscored how severely such disruptions can impact both the economy and daily life.