January 2026 Berlin Power Blackout Hits 2,000 Local Businesses, Causing Millions in Losses

On Monday, January 5, 2026, Berlin experienced a severe power blackout affecting approximately 2,000 businesses across the city, notably including the Goerzwerk creative complex in Lichterfelde. The outage has led to widespread operational disruptions, production stoppages, and interrupted supply chains, with significant financial repercussions for businesses, especially in retail and food sectors.

Goerzwerk's spokesperson, Anusch Guyenz, described the impact as "completely hit," relying on three diesel generators that could only provide minimal power, far from meeting full operational demands. Managing director Silvio Schobinger estimated that the cost of running these backup generators and purchasing fuel would amount to €15,000 to €20,000 weekly.

Manja Schreiner from the Berlin Chamber of Commerce underscored the extensive economic damage, noting potential losses running into the hundreds of thousands of euros due to lost revenue and spoiled inventory. Supermarkets like Edeka and Aldi have responded by deploying backup power units and arranging refrigerated trucks, while also assisting local residents with free hot water and charging stations.

The blackout's effects have extended beyond businesses, with schools and daycare centers forced to close, compelling parents to stay home and further affecting workforce productivity. Wolfgang Steiger, CDU Economic Council member, emphasized the critical need for better infrastructure resilience, calling on the government to strengthen regulations and develop specialized response teams.

In the face of adversity, affected companies are collaborating by sharing resources and offering alternative workspaces to sustain operations. Authorities and insurers urged businesses to meticulously document damages for potential compensation. The crisis has spotlighted vulnerabilities in Berlin's infrastructure and the urgency of investing in more robust, resilient systems to prevent such widespread disruptions in the future.