2023-09-17 12:44:31
By pointing out that electricity prices are allegedly too high, lobbyists are laying the foundation for delaying important technical adjustments. Image: dpa
German industry is being heard with its horror scenarios. The Greens want to relieve themselves of the consequences of their nuclear phase-out policy. Why industrial electricity prices are a bad idea.
My current favorite word is “bridge subsidy”. No, this is not intended to repair the dilapidated bridges on German federal roads and motorways, although they certainly need it. According to Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens), energy-intensive companies in the basic industries such as chemicals or steel will be given financial support by the state with a reduced “bridge electricity price” (thus a subsidy). The electricity price for these companies should be capped at an upper limit.
Rainer Hank
Freelance economics writer for the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung.
Now it is per se a bit strange that a minister from a party that, to my knowledge, was not founded by German heavy industry is bringing subsidies for big business into the discussion. Habeck says it’s about securing the location and its competitiveness in view of the enormous increase in electricity prices in this country compared to international standards. The emigration of companies, loss of prosperity and unemployment are the horrors behind it.
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