FYI: The search for munitions around Tesla’s Giga Berlin facility is nearing completion, with significant finds of WWII remnants.
Munitions Search Near Tesla’s Giga Berlin Close to Completion
In an ongoing effort to ensure safety around the Tesla Giga Berlin complex, the Brandenburg Interior Ministry announced that the search for munitions is almost complete. Only a few hectares remain to be inspected for potential hazards.
Extensive Search Efforts Since June
According to a report by rbb24, specialist teams have been meticulously scanning 86 hectares of land around the Giga Berlin facility since June. These efforts have unearthed a staggering 1,578 munitions, including two massive 250-kilogram unexploded World War II bombs that necessitated onsite detonation for safety.
Types of Munitions Discovered
Commissioned by the State Forestry Authority, the search teams encountered various dangerous items such as:
- Handgun ammunition
- Weapon parts
- Close combat equipment
- Grenades
- A bazooka
Unlike the two large WWII bombs found earlier, these smaller items were safely transported away from the site.
Safe Disposal Procedures
“The finds were or are being transported away immediately after they were recovered, collected centrally, and destroyed on a weekly basis,” stated a spokesperson from the Brandenburg Interior Ministry.
Tesla’s Grand Expansion Plans
Tesla’s plans to expand the Giga Berlin complex are ambitious. The expansion will include the addition of several new structures, such as a freight station. Parts of the land targeted for expansion were bombed during World War II and are deemed "suspected areas of explosive ordnance."
Negotiating Land Purchase
For the planned expansion, Tesla still needs to purchase additional land. Discussions between Tesla and the Ministry of Environment regarding this potential sale are reportedly ongoing. If these negotiations are fruitful, the land will be appraised, and a sale price will be determined. The transaction, however, will require approval from the State Parliament’s Finance Committee.
Community and Council Response
Tesla’s expansion plans have not been without controversy. Local activists and residents in Grünheide have voiced significant opposition to the company’s activities. Nonetheless, in May, the Grünheide municipal council approved Tesla’s expansion plans.
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William Kouch, Editor of Automotive.fyi
