Tesla and Red Bull Want More Water. Berlin’s Region Is Running Dry.

The German state of Brandenburg, which surrounds Berlin, is facing a quiet crisis: its groundwater is shrinking. Yet two of its most famous industrial tenants—Tesla’s electric car factory and Red Bull’s aerospace and media complex—are pushing to expand operations that require significant water use. Local residents and environmental groups say the region has reached its limit. They argue that new industrial demand will strain drinking water supplies for towns and farms, especially during increasingly dry summers. Tesla, which opened its Gigafactory near Grünheide in 2022, has asked for permission to increase its water withdrawal. Red Bull, which operates a test track and event venue at the former military airfield in Brand, is also seeking more water for planned growth. State officials have not yet made final decisions on either request. But the conflict highlights a growing tension: Brandenburg wants jobs and investment, but its water reserves are finite. Hydrologists warn that climate change is reducing rainfall and replenishment of groundwater in the region. If both companies expand, the state may need to prioritize who gets water first—industry or people. For now, no permits have been issued. But the debate is already forcing Brandenburg to confront a simple question: can it keep growing without running dry?