German industry: Government must reign in Energiewende costs

The Federation of German Industries (BDI) has called on the government to get the costs of the country’s energy transition under control. “The brake on costs promised by the economics ministry has turned out to be no more than wishful thinking,” said BDI president Ulrich Grillo on Thursday at an event in Berlin. “The renewables surcharge and grid costs continue to rise – a grave competitive disadvantage for our companies,” Grillo said. He criticised German industry was not sufficiently consulted on the environment ministry’s proposal for a Climate Action Plan. “Now is not the time to tighten already ambitious EU and national targets. A national solo will not lead us to success.”

For background, read the CLEW factsheet Industrial power prices and the Energiewende, and the article Ministry avoids concrete targets in weakened Climate Action Plan.