Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) is pushing for a decision on the introduction of a state-subsidized lower industrial electricity price as soon as possible.
Habeck said on his trip to India in Mumbai that there will certainly be a lot of talk about this over the summer. “But then we don’t have that much time anymore. If we just talk for a long time, then the companies will make their own decisions and they will no longer be in favor of Germany as a location.”
Habeck wants to use billions of dollars in state aid to enable electricity prices for industry to be competitive in an international comparison. He proposes capping the electricity price for energy-intensive companies to 6 cents per kilowatt hour by 2030. According to Habeck’s plans, the money should come from the Economic Stabilization Fund (WSF). This special pot set up during the corona pandemic was reactivated during the energy crisis in order to cushion the consequences. Above all, the electricity and gas price brake will be financed with up to 200 billion euros. Due to falling prices, however, the financing of the brakes should become significantly cheaper.
Coalition partner FDP rejects Habeck’s proposal
The FDP rejects both a state-subsidized industrial electricity price and an opening of the economic stabilization fund. Habeck received support for his plans from trade unions and business associations.
Habeck said that under the conditions of the federal budget “as we have them”, it is not possible to finance an industrial electricity price that could help effectively. Another financing instrument is needed. The WSF is what is possible if you want to. The “acute” energy crisis was dealt with faster and better than expected. “So there’s plenty of money left. We’ve spent far less money than we thought or ever feared.”
