Sabotage on power grid: police increase protection of critical infrastructure in SH
After more than 160 suspected sabotage cases nationwide, Schleswig-Holstein increases police presence at energy facilities. SH Netz significantly enhances security measures.
Police and network operators respond to wave of attacks on energy facilities
Following alleged acts of sabotage on substations in Brandenburg and North Rhine-Westphalia, police in Schleswig-Holstein have significantly expanded their presence at critical infrastructure. As Google News DE — Crime (de) reports, officers inspected several energy facilities with drones on Wednesday evening, including the Wedel district heating and power plant in Pinneberg district. Numerous personnel from the Technical Unit searched the surrounding fields in long lines. A police spokesperson emphasised that the operation was a precautionary measure — there were no concrete indications of a threat.
Schleswig-Holstein's Interior Minister Magdalena Finke (CDU) confirmed on Thursday the increased police presence at important points of critical infrastructure. "There are currently no concrete threat assessments in Schleswig-Holstein," Finke stated. However, the ministry had made contact with the operators and additionally alerted police departments in light of incidents in other federal states.
In future, every incident at a critical infrastructure facility is to be examined for possible espionage or sabotage. Where necessary, an exchange with the constitutional protection agency is also planned. The Interior Ministry intends to permanently intensify cooperation with critical infrastructure operators.
Network operator SH Netz strengthens physical and digital security
Network operator Schleswig-Holstein Netz (SH Netz), based in Quickborn (Pinneberg district), has already expanded security measures in recent months according to its own information. Documented incidents include damaged fences and locking systems as well as cyber attacks.
In 2026, SH Netz, according to a company spokesperson, has among other things improved protective fences, introduced personalised access restrictions for individual sites and strengthened IT infrastructure through additional security levels and checks. A three-digit number of employees in particularly sensitive company areas have also undergone security vetting. Additionally, security exercises for staff and enhanced cyber-security measures are planned.
SH Netz supplies around 2.8 million customers in more than 900 municipalities with electricity and gas. The company employs more than 1,600 staff at 30 locations in the state.
In the event of a fault, the network control centre can switch lines for the duration of a repair. Additionally, SH Netz maintains emergency power generators that could be deployed in care homes, for example. The network operator also cooperates with partner companies that can provide support if needed. However, complete protection against attacks is not possible, the company acknowledged. The company declined to disclose whether information on specific threat assessments existed in the past, citing security reasons.
More than 160 suspected sabotage cases and 740 drone sightings nationwide
An internal situation report from the Federal Criminal Police Office, to which NDR, WDR and the Süddeutsche Zeitung have access, shows that more than 160 suspected sabotage cases have been registered nationwide this year. Added to this are more than 740 suspicious drone sightings. Against this backdrop, politicians and experts are discussing controversially about the use of drone defence and the expansion of video surveillance.
The arms manufacturers Flensburger Shipyard (FSG) and Flensburger Fahrzeugbau-Gesellschaft (FFG) declined to comment publicly on the "sensitive topic area". Meanwhile, the Defence Technology Working Group Schleswig-Holstein reported a record of 10,500 employees.
Following the sabotage acts in Brandenburg and North Rhine-Westphalia, plants in Hamburg and surrounding areas were also examined. The question of the security of the power grid is now also being raised in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
Source: Google News DE — Crime (de)