Almost 2,400 companies have joined an appealthe energy policy of the Federal Government criticized. “With the projects that have now been presented as part of the network package or the key points of a building modernization law, the federal government is losing the goals and opportunities Energy transition out of sight,” says the call, which was published on the Green Party’s website. The party said it was not responsible for the text. It goes back to the companies involved themselves.
The “Economic appeal” was formulated by companies from a wide range of sectors and “local co-creators of the energy transition”, as it was called. It started at the weekend. The online signatories mainly include smaller companies from the energy sector, as well as architectural offices and consulting firms. Many companies that at first glance appear to be non-specialist, such as medical practices, advertising agencies or tourism providers, can also be found in the list.
They appeal to the federal government and the coalition factions of the Union and SPD to stick to the modernization of the German energy system and the accelerated expansion of renewable energies. “Sufficiently cheap, clean electricity is the basis for economic recovery, energy security, new investments and the establishment of innovative industries in Germany,” they write.
Electricity demand in Germany will increase “rapidly” and will determine economic recovery and settlements – whether in electricity-intensive future industries such as AI and data centers, charging current for the ramp-up of electromobility or a reduction in energy costs for the chemical industry. The Energy transition have imbalances, the companies wrote. “However, we are currently extremely concerned that these economic potentials and energy policy needs are being ignored or misunderstood with the federal government’s current proposals,” the companies added.
The Building Modernization Act is intended to replace the so-called Heating Act of the traffic light government and, among other things, enable the installation of new oil and gas heating systems for longer. The companies’ main criticism here is that previous plans by municipalities are being “devalued” as part of heat planning and that there is a “threat of massive declines in orders for the trades, construction and energy sectors”. In addition, so far there are only key points for the new law – so existing regulations are replaced by “ambiguity and legal uncertainty”.
Bottlenecks need to be better synchronized
Katherina Reiche’s (CDU) Federal Ministry of Economics wants to present the so-called network package. A known draft of the law stipulates, among other things, that Funding for new solar systems from private individuals has deteriorated. The companies write that there is definitely a problem with expanding the electricity network: “Existing network bottlenecks and the further expansion of renewable energies must be better synchronized.” However, the focus must be on digitalization and flexibility. “The leaked proposals from the Federal Ministry of Economics, however, have the potential to sharply slow down the expansion of renewables.”