The ongoing search for munitions around the Tesla Giga Berlin complex is almost complete, as per a spokesperson from the Brandenburg Interior Ministry on Friday. The spokesperson, however, noted that a few more hectares of land still need to be examined for possible danger.
As noted in an rbb24 report, 86 hectares worth of land around the Giga Berlin complex have been searched for ammunition and old weapons since June. The Interior Ministry has noted that since the search started, a total of 1,578 munitions have been found near the Giga Berlin complex, including two 250-kilogram unexploded bombs from World War II that were detonated onsite.
Specialist teams that were commissioned by the State Forestry Authority found a variety of dangerous items during their search. These included handgun ammunition, weapon parts, close combat equipment, grenades, and a bazooka. Unlike the two 250-kilogram bombs that were found in June, these materials were transported away from the area.
🇩🇪 Giga Berlin Extension leads to Discovery of 1,578 WWII Explosives & Weapons
— Alex (@alex_avoigt) September 13, 2024
Since June, 86 hectares of the 🇩🇪 Giga Berlin site have been searched for WWII munitions and old weapons and, according to the Ministry of the Interior, a total of 1,578 explosive ordnance items have… pic.twitter.com/ozDv5WMC7w
“The finds were or are being transported away immediately after they were recovered, collected centrally and destroyed on a weekly basis,” the spokesperson from the Interior Ministry noted.
Tesla is seeking to expand Giga Berlin’s existing facility, and the company also plans to build several more structures in the area, including a freight station. As per rbb, some areas that will be affected by Tesla’s planned Giga Berlin expansion were bombed during World War II. These locations were then considered “suspected area of explosive ordnance.”
Interestingly enough, Tesla would still need to purchase some land for its planned expansion. Citing the Ministry of Environment, rbb noted that talks with Tesla about a potential sale are reportedly underway. Provided that these talks are successful, the area could be evaluated by an appraiser, and a purchase price could be negotiated. The sale, however, would still need to be approved by the State Parliament’s Finance Committee.
Tesla’s Giga Berlin expansion plans faced a lot of pushback from activists and residents in Grünheide, many of whom expressed their opposition to the electric vehicle maker’s activities in the area. In May, however, Tesla’s expansion plans were approved by the Grünheide municipal council.
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