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In order to accelerate the expansion of district heating networks, Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) has agreed with business associations, municipal representatives and environmental and consumer advocates on looser climate protection targets for the corresponding systems. The target of producing at least half of the district heating of each individual network with renewable energies […]

The Spree is threatened by an increased water shortage after the lignite phase-out in Lusatia – with consequences for Berlin’s drinking water supply. This is the conclusion of a study published on Monday by the Federal Environment Agency (UBA). According to the study, with the end of lignite mining, operators are pumping significantly less groundwater

The largest wind farm in the Free State is to be built in the Bavarian state forest near Altötting. 40 wind turbines with a height of 200 metres are planned. This is causing protests among local residents, who see it as “ordinance politics”. Even the Greens consider the project a “rip-off” (Welt: 11.06.23). Pilgrimage routes

Heat pumps are considered the heating of the future and both the German government and the EU Commission are working to convert heating systems accordingly. In Germany, the number of installed heat pumps is expected to increase to six million by 2030, a fivefold increase. However, the rising demand for electricity poses a challenge. According

A growing number of successful Germans are seriously considering leaving Germany. Germany now has the third highest emigration rate among the 38 leading industrialised nations, and three quarters of emigrants have a university degree, so more and more highly qualified people are leaving the country. (msn: 05.06.23). Entrepreneurs at a turning point: frustration with politics

The Greens have been trying in vain for over three and a half years to install a heat pump in their party headquarters in Berlin-Mitte. Originally, they wanted to use the renovation of their federal headquarters to both renovate the rooms and make the heating system more environmentally friendly. However, research by “Der Spiegel” shows

Passau law professor Meinhard Schröder considers the federal government’s planned heating law to be partially unconstitutional. The Bavarian Minister of Economic Affairs, Hubert Aiwanger (Free Voters), commissioned a legal opinion which confirmed that the law violates the principle of equality in the Basic Law in several points. One example is the age limit of 80

In Italy, there was an enormous increase in heat pumps and house renovations. However, this was an artificially generated investment boom with dubious benefits for climate protection. Now the subsidies in Rome have been used up and the market is collapsing. This should serve as a lesson to German heating politicians (Focus: 08.06.23). Italy’s construction

Markus Krebber, CEO of the energy company RWE, warns that Germany is facing a power shortage in the medium term. This could lead to companies and jobs leaving the country. He stresses that Germany’s prosperity is based on strong industry. A shortage of energy leads to high prices and thus endangers the competitiveness of the

Thierry Breton, EU Internal Market Commissioner, reiterated his support for nuclear energy to French MEPs. He stressed its importance as a promising sector and as a means to decarbonise the EU (Eractiv: 02.06.23). This was done in relation to the EU’s response to US subsidies in the Inflation Reduction Act. Revolutionary proposal: EU Commission supports

Discussions about the amendment to the Building Energy Act by Economics Minister Habeck have been going on for weeks. The media tries with some success to distract from the main weak point. According to the law, from 2024 only heating systems that are operated with “at least” 65% renewable energies should be installed. The government

The solar boom in Germany is putting farmers under increasing pressure due to Investors often acquire large areas in order to build solar parks on them. This makes arable land scarce and expensive for the farmers (Tagesschau: 05.06.23). The solar boom in Germany: Farmers under pressure – dramatic effects on farmland and rents Large investors

Netzagentur President Klaus Mueller plans to give companies that operate electricity and gas networks more scope for profit. This will increase the costs for energy consumers (Handelsblatt: 07.06.23). Network operators benefit: Netzagentur plans higher returns for electricity and gas network operators from 2024 The news for electricity and gas network operators in Germany is positive.

According to a BDI survey, almost every sixth company in German industry relocates its production and jobs abroad. Companies attribute this, among other things, to high energy and labor costs that weigh on them (Wiwo: 05.06.23). Industry lobby raises the alarm: companies in Germany are relocating production abroad The President of the Federation of German

According to the CEO of the chemical group Evonik, Christian Kullmann, energy for industry in Germany is more expensive than in any other country in the world. He warns of a possible economic decline in the country (Deutschlandfunk: 04.06.23). Evonik CEO warns of energy policy disaster and calls for subsidized industrial electricity prices Evonik’s CEO