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Service disruptions in Heidelberg – hydrogen buses with frost and electrical problems
In the university city of Heidelberg, bus service disruptions are becoming increasingly frequent, forcing Rhein-Neckar-Verkehr GmbH (rnv) to reorganize its daily operations at short notice. According to the company, cancellations are possible on all 14 bus lines within the city limits, and disruptions are also affecting some outlying routes. Hydrogen buses with fuel cells are…
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Frost damage after blackout: Power restored – many heating systems still remain off
After the blackout, all households in Berlin are reconnected to the power grid, but in Zehlendorf, entire streets are still without heating: The days of freezing temperatures damaged many heating systems to the point that they cannot be restarted. Without electricity, pumps and controls were shut down, and many buildings cooled down completely. Numerous heat…
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Freight forwarders warn: Extended toll exemption is not enough – electric trucks are often unsuitable for everyday use
The EU is extending the toll exemption for zero-emission trucks until 2031, yet the effect for freight companies remains limited. The measure is based on the cost per kilometer, but it ignores the operational realities of many businesses. Without charging infrastructure, without network expansion, and with high acquisition costs, a political signal will not translate…
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Vulkan group announces further attack on Berlin’s power grid
The far-left Vulkan group announced another attack on Berlin’s power grid online. The message circulated on the Indymedia internet platform shortly after the Berlin blackout. The text later disappeared, but authorities treated it as a concrete warrant for investigation. The Federal Prosecutor General is investigating because of potential extremist structures. (ntv: 08.01.26) Volcano Group: New…
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Mercedes withdraws a volume model from Rastatt and relocates production of the A-Class to Hungary
Mercedes will relocate A-Class production to Kecskemét, Hungary, starting in the second quarter of 2026, meaning the Rastatt plant will lose a key volume model. The company cites the need for more space, but production is moving abroad, while jobs in Germany are at least indirectly coming under renewed pressure. (reuters: 06.01.26) A-Class and Location…
Blackout News on Social Media
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Zalando closes logistics center in Erfurt – 2700 jobs affected
Zalando will close its logistics center in Erfurt by the end of September 2026. The company has stated that it has begun informing the 2,700 employees at the site about the decision. Zalando cites the realignment of its Europe-wide logistics network following the acquisition of About You in 2024 as the reason for the closure.…
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DAX companies in a downward spiral – Germany is becoming a loss-making business
DAX-listed companies are increasingly posting losses in Germany. According to EY, 23 of the DAX 40 companies have been operating at their German locations for more than a year, while their foreign operations continue to generate profits. This is turning Germany into a cost factor. Industrial production is faltering. Rampant bureaucracy is slowing things down.…
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Gas storage levels at record low – Federal Network Agency calls for gas conservation
Germany’s gas reserves are unusually low at the beginning of January, increasing pressure on households and businesses. The Federal Network Agency is now urging people to conserve gas because the gas storage facilities are emptying faster than usual due to the ongoing cold snap. LNG terminals are also intended to support the supply, but they…
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Record amount of electricity from wind and solar power – billions for EEG costs and expensive electricity imports
The record amount of electricity generated from wind and solar power in 2025 met a system that makes surpluses expensive and fails to prevent bottlenecks. At the same time, costs associated with the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) are rising, as are the costs of electricity imports, risks associated with periods of low wind and…
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CO2 tax 2025: State collects 21.4 billion euros – low-income earners bear the brunt
In 2025, the federal government collected €21.4 billion from CO2 certificates, but the burden is not distributed fairly. This is because CO2 costs are factored into almost all prices, as production, transport, and storage require energy. At the same time, higher-income households more frequently benefit from subsidies for electric cars, building renovations, solar panels, storage…
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America’s LNG plan – Greece is to become Europe’s new energy hub
The US aims to develop Greece into an energy hub by transporting more LNG to Europe via Greek terminals and strengthening its onward distribution into the regional energy infrastructure. The goal is a more stable gas supply in Southeast Europe, making it less vulnerable to supply disruptions and shortages. (riffreporter: 02.01.26) Why Washington Prioritizes Greece…
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Bankruptcy wave in Switzerland in 2025: Company and personal bankruptcies rising rapidly
In 2025, Switzerland was hit hard by a wave of bankruptcies, with corporate and personal bankruptcies reaching new record highs. Creditreform reported 14,958 corporate bankruptcies, an increase of over 30 percent. Personal bankruptcies also rose, while new procedures led many cases more quickly into formal proceedings. The wave of bankruptcies had a clear driver: a…
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Frost damage to heat pumps after power outages – monoblock systems can burst
Monobloc heat pumps can suffer severe frost damage during a multi-day power outage because their water-carrying components are located outside the building. As soon as the power fails, the circulation pump stops and the heating water no longer circulates through the outdoor unit. In sub-zero temperatures, pipes and heat exchangers can freeze. The ice expands…
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Starcar shuts down in Hamburg: Car rental company ceases operations – up to 1,000 jobs affected
Starcar is closing down, but the scale of the collapse is surprising many: The Hamburg-based car rental company is ceasing operations following its insolvency, and more than 1,000 jobs within the group are at risk. The company filed for insolvency at the end of 2025, and until recently, no investor could be found for a…
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Cold wave drives France’s nuclear power production to record levels
France is experiencing a cold snap, causing a noticeable increase in electricity demand. At the same time, generation is reaching record levels, and electricity prices are reacting more quickly than usual. In this situation, nuclear power and grid stability become crucial factors, as they ensure supply during peak demand. (bloomberg: 31.12.25) Cold snap during winter…