Industrial location
Habeck for quick measures to relieve the burden on the industry
High electricity prices are putting a strain on industry. Economics Minister Habeck is looking for ways to find short-term solutions.
Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck is pushing for quick decisions to relieve industry of electricity costs. In order to act in the short term, measures are possible during this legislative period, said the Green politician at an industry conference.
Habeck mentioned a reduction in network fees through a state subsidy and a law that provides state funding for the construction of new gas power plants. After the traffic light failed, the red-green government no longer has a majority in the Bundestag.
German industry has also come under pressure because of high electricity costs compared to international standards. A federal subsidy to partially finance the transmission network costs of up to 5.5 billion euros was actually planned for this year. However, as a result of a budget ruling by the Federal Constitutional Court, the federal government canceled this subsidy for savings reasons.
Habeck is looking for solidarity with Union
The economics minister said the best way to reduce network fees would be to agree on a supplementary budget for the current year. In order to finance a federal subsidy, funds released by the postponement of the Intel chip factory in Magdeburg could be used. Habeck had already suggested that the first, actually planned tranche of Intel funds could be used to reduce network fees by four billion euros next year. Another way is legal adjustments.
The federal government will seek talks with the democratic opposition, said the minister, referring to the Union and the FDP. “But they have to want it too. What’s important is that we’re really running out of time there.” The measure must be decided in the remaining weeks of this year.
Industry: Time is running out
Industry President Siegfried Russwurm said: “The high electricity prices endanger industrial production and jobs in Germany.” Reducing the sharply rising network fees as an immediately effective measure could make a short-term contribution. “We have no time to waste.” Jürgen Kerner, second chairman of the IG Metall union, called on the CDU and CSU to face their responsibilities.
Habeck said Germany’s industrial core was under pressure from change. He makes no secret of the fact that greater answers are needed than have been possible in previous years. After the start of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine in February 2022, Germany should have responded with a large economic stimulus package. Electricity prices for industry should have been reliably reduced.
dpa
Source: Stern
