Germany sees rise in copper cable theft at EV chargers and solar farms

In the Kreis Düren district, unknown thieves cut and stole copper charging cables from several electric‑vehicle charging points, rendering the stations out of service and causing operators losses of several thousand euros per unit. Police searches, including a helicopter, failed to locate the perpetrators. Manufacturers are responding with cut‑resistant cable sheathing, alarm systems and tracking technology to deter future thefts.

A separate incident in Königsbrück, Saxony, involved the systematic removal of about 42 kilometres of copper cable from a solar park. The stolen material is valued at roughly €50,000, but the primary loss stems from the shutdown of the plant, which halts electricity production and revenue. Police noted the fence was quietly opened and the theft spanned several days, underscoring the vulnerability of remote renewable‑energy sites. Operators are now considering increased video surveillance, alarms and other physical security measures.

Both cases illustrate a growing problem where rising copper prices make energy‑infrastructure cables attractive targets, prompting operators across Germany to invest in stronger protective solutions.