Thieves have found a new source for stealing copper: Wind turbines. Several tonnes of copper cable are laid in modern wind turbines and have thus become interesting for copper thieves. The police receive reports of such thefts almost weekly. Thieves steal copper because the metal, like many other metals, is currently in short supply and therefore expensive. The theft of entire tonnes of copper is therefore extremely lucrative. This is why charging stations for electric cars have also fallen victim to copper thieves.
Two tonnes of steel stolen from wind turbines in the Börde district
In May, unknown persons stole two tonnes of copper from two wind turbines in the district of Börde in Saxony-Anhalt. The perpetrators climbed into the nacelle 70 metres above the ground and cut the cables. In doing so, the perpetrators took a high risk because the cables were live when they were cut. According to the police, the damage amounted to 50,000 euros. The wind turbines have been out of operation since then.
Thieves steal 3 tonnes of copper from wind turbines in North Rhine-Westphalia
Also near Baesweiler in North Rhine-Westphalia, brazen thieves stole 1800 metres of copper cable weighing several tonnes from four wind turbines. The police assume that the thieves had special knowledge, because they obviously have special tools to overcome the burglary protection as well as to switch off the wind turbines.
Another theft in Marktwitz in Upper Franconia
Another case within a few weeks occurred in Marktwitz, Bavaria. There, thieves stole about 300 kilograms of copper from a wind turbine. Here, too, the police assume that skilled perpetrators were at work.
Perpetrators have special expertise
In all cases, the thefts had to have been professionally planned. On the one hand, the perpetrators need the specialist knowledge of how to overcome the burglary protection of the wind turbines, and on the other hand, they also need the knowledge of how to shut down the turbines. They obviously bring the appropriate special tools with them. Last but not least, the thieves also need the appropriate logistics, because they also need the appropriate vehicles to transport several tonnes of copper.
Police investigate scrap dealers
The police are now also checking the scrap dealers in the regions, because the perpetrators must of course first find a buyer for the stolen goods. However, it is also quite possible that the stolen goods are sold abroad.
Plant operators have suffered considerable damage
The operators of the wind turbines are the ones who suffer the damage. Copper is rare and not available in such large quantities overnight. That’s why the wind turbines are at a standstill for the time being, and that can take months. The plants do not produce any electricity for that long.
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