Saarland Officials: EU Electricity Price Relief Insufficient for Industry
The Saarland state government has welcomed the European Commission's approval of reduced electricity prices for energy-intensive industries but warns that the measures are insufficient to ensure long-term competitiveness. Prime Minister Anke Rehlinger described the decision as an important signal for Germany as an industrial location, yet emphasized that a relief of approximately one cent per kilowatt hour falls short in international competition. She argued that steel and industrial companies require permanently lower energy prices and consistent renewable energy expansion to safeguard thousands of jobs. Economics Minister Jürgen Barke labeled the move a first step but called for flexible, unbureaucratic designs to combine various relief measures effectively. The EU Commission authorized the German federal government to provide up to 3.8 billion euros in support, targeting around 9,500 companies in sectors such as chemicals, glass, cement, and semiconductor production. The aim is to cap their effective electricity cost at five cents per kilowatt hour relative to wholesale prices. Despite this financial injection, Saarland officials maintain that structural changes are necessary to preserve the basic materials industry and secure the future of industrial value creation in the region amidst rising global energy costs.
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Saarland Officials: EU Electricity Price Relief Insufficient for Industry
The Saarland state government has welcomed the European Commission's approval of reduced electricity prices for energy-intensive industries but warns that the measures are insufficient to ensure long-term competitiveness. Prime Minister Anke Rehlinger described the decision as an important signal for Germany as an industrial location, yet emphasized that a relief of approximately one cent per kilowatt hour falls short in international competition. She argued that steel and industrial companies require permanently lower energy prices and consistent renewable energy expansion to safeguard thousands of jobs. Economics Minister Jürgen Barke labeled the move a first step but called for flexible, unbureaucratic designs to combine various relief measures effectively. The EU Commission authorized the German federal government to provide up to 3.8 billion euros in support, targeting around 9,500 companies in sectors such as chemicals, glass, cement, and semiconductor production. The aim is to cap their effective electricity cost at five cents per kilowatt hour relative to wholesale prices. Despite this financial injection, Saarland officials maintain that structural changes are necessary to preserve the basic materials industry and secure the future of industrial value creation in the region amidst rising global energy costs.
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