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The new poverty statistics paint a stark picture, as poverty continues to spread. In Germany, around 13.3 million people were considered at risk of poverty in 2025. This corresponds to 16.1 percent of the population. In 2024, the figure was 15.5 percent. The figures come from data on income and living conditions provided by the […]

The North Sea Summit in Hamburg touted offshore wind as a recipe for affordable electricity. But the narrative crumbled shortly afterward. Costs are rising, the necessary grids are lacking, and the industry is demanding further government subsidies. As always, the political rhetoric sounds grander than what the system can deliver. North Sea Summit: Big Promises

Fatih Birol considers Germany’s dual strategy risky, as the country is phasing out coal and nuclear power while simultaneously aiming to remain an industrial powerhouse. The head of the International Energy Agency calls it a “historic mistake.” At the same time, he is hoping for a change of course under Chancellor Friedrich Merz, because Merz

The fixed feed-in tariff has made solar expansion on German rooftops predictable. This safety net for new solar installations is set to disappear in 2027. Economics Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU) and Environment Minister Carsten Schneider (SPD) are announcing contracts for difference (CfDs) as a replacement. At the same time, EU approval for the current solar

Aircraft need energy-dense fuels, which is why batteries will play a minor role for the foreseeable future. Research is searching for alternatives to petroleum-based kerosene. Now, teams at the Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) have reported a breakthrough: They are cultivating microbes that produce precursors for aviation fuel in the laboratory up to 36 times more

Neustadt in Holstein experienced a power outage lasting several hours on February 2, 2026. Daily life was abruptly disrupted. Large parts of the town were affected, as well as Pelzerhaken and Rettin. Up to 10,000 residents were left without electricity. Anyone who wanted to pay, work, or communicate suddenly encountered limitations. (welt: 02.02.26) Neustadt in

At the end of December 2025, ADAC’s transport president, Gerhard Hillebrand, described CO₂ pricing as “the right instrument” and spoke of it as an “incentive” for switching to electric vehicles through higher fuel prices. Following this, the club reported a flood of complaints, leading to a wave of membership cancellations. Reports indicate that around 60,000

Wind power project developer Abo Energy is plummeting on the capital markets, resulting in substantial losses for investors. The company’s 2024 listed bond is now trading at only about 16 percent of its face value, effectively reducing the market value of many positions by more than 80 percent. Those forced to sell are realizing significant

The decline of the German automotive industry isn’t coming with sirens, but with briefcases. The diagnosis is brutal: The auto industry is losing its core business – and much faster than many believe. This is evident in factory closures, bankruptcies, and slashed development budgets. There’s a point where all sugarcoating ends: Once production has moved

The German government is launching a new funding program for hydrogen refueling stations and hydrogen-powered trucks, with €220 million allocated for this purpose. The program aims to support up to 40 stations and up to 400 trucks. However, the reality in Germany paints a different picture, as numerous projects have failed due to a lack

The heating market is currently in a paralyzing hold-up mode, and this is also affecting manufacturers. Several companies have already reacted with short-time work or job cuts due to a lack of orders. In 2025, sales fell to 627,000 heating units, the lowest level since 2010. Customers are deeply unsettled by the political maneuvering surrounding

The Witzenmann Group, a manufacturer of flexible metal hoses, expansion joints, and piping systems for industrial and automotive applications, plans to cut approximately 230 jobs in Pforzheim. The company’s management negotiated with the union and works council to ensure that layoffs remain the exception. The Pforzheim site also includes Kieselbronn and Remchingen, where 1,650 employees

A smart meter in the meter cabinet sounds like a modern electricity market. However, for many customers, this is followed by frustration because usable meter readings are missing. Market communication is often disrupted, and the metering point operator doesn’t forward data promptly. Dynamic electricity tariffs then cannot be billed correctly. Konrad Schade, Chief Commercial Officer

The energy situation in Germany is worsening, and the risk of a gas shortage is increasing noticeably. On January 30, 2026, German gas storage facilities were at approximately 32.75% capacity, corresponding to about 82.3 TWh of stored energy. This level is close to the legally mandated minimum of 30% by February 1. This is critical

In Norway, around 73 percent of households heat with electricity. This makes many buildings vulnerable during a blackout. During prolonged power outages, the heat supply quickly collapses. Therefore, Norway’s building code TEK17 mandates that new buildings must have a chimney specifically designed for the later installation of a non-electric heating appliance. Chimney requirement provides backup