Germany pushes for EU alliance on energy transition technologies

The German government will propose a “European Alliance for Transformation Technologies” at an upcoming meeting of EU ministers responsible for industry policy and the internal market, Tagesspiegel Background reports. In a letter seen by the newspaper, Germany argues that such an alliance could help boost production of products such as heat pumps, solar PVs and grid equipment. The letter argues that supply of these technologies is currently well below demand, which has risen sharply as a result from the energy crisis. Germany’s suggestion of a European alliance is based an existing strategy for battery production, the European Battery Alliance. The government will present the plan at the Competitiveness Council meeting on 29 September.

Demand for heat pumps in particular has soared in Germany since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sent gas prices spiralling, but problems with supply mean there is currently a months-long waiting list for the technology.