German power grid sabotage attack linked to ‘climate extremism’

German authorities said Friday they believe a militant climate activist was behind a spate of sabotage attacks on the power grid and are hunting for the 48-year-old suspect.

"We must assume that this is a case of climate extremism," said Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt. 

The man is thought to have sent letters confessing to the attacks on power lines, and suspected explosive materials were found during searches of his home in the western town of Gevelsberg, officials said.

Germany was rattled this week by several attacks and attempted attacks on electricity substations, including in the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia and in Brandenburg in the east. 

The attacks saw firework-like devices used to launch wires across overhead high-voltage lines in an apparent attempt to cause short-circuits and cut power from nearby coal-fired power stations.

No major power cuts were caused, although some power-generating units at the plants were taken off the grid for a time.

Security officials and the media were sent letters confessing to some of the acts, said North Rhine-Westphalia's Interior Minister Herbert Reul. 

The letters, which contained precise details about the attack plans, were presumed to be authentic, he said, adding that "the author cites as his motive the fight against fossil fuels". 

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)