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Wind Turbine on Fire near Kitzingen: A7 Motorway Closed at Start of Whitsun Holidays
Near Kitzingen in Lower Franconia, a wind turbine standing over 100 meters tall caught fire on Saturday evening around 6:50 p.m. near the A7 motorway. Several motorists noticed heavy smoke billowing from the turbine and subsequently alerted emergency services. Shortly after the fire department arrived, the structure was fully engulfed in flames; however, the turbine’s…
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Solar Subsidies – New PV Systems Could Lose Fixed Remuneration
In Berlin, the Federal Government is preparing a far-reaching overhaul of solar energy subsidies, as Federal Minister of Economics Katherina Reiche intends to reduce state payments for new small-scale PV systems. The amendment to the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) and the accompanying Grid Package remain under inter-ministerial coordination; according to the current schedule, the…
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Consulting Costs at the Pension Insurance Agency – Court of Auditors Criticizes Questionable Multi-Million Contracts
In Berlin, the Federal Audit Office once again criticized the Deutsche Rentenversicherung Bund in May 2026 for its high expenditures on external consulting. The catalyst for this criticism is a recent audit report which—following earlier objections raised in 2024—evaluates the countermeasures that had been announced. The consulting costs are particularly contentious because the DRV Bund…
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Self-Employed Fear for Their Livelihood – Lack of Orders Hits One in Five Businesses
In Germany, many self-employed individuals find themselves in a critical situation in April 2026. 20.6 percent face acute fears regarding their economic business prospects. The triggers are a lack of orders, weak demand, and growing uncertainty. Those primarily affected are sole proprietorships and micro-enterprises with fewer than nine employees. The Jimdo-ifo Business Climate Index has…
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The energy transition is losing its business model—the economic viability of many projects is collapsing
In 2026, Germany and Europe are experiencing a new phase of weakness in the energy transition, as wind power, photovoltaics, hydrogen, and large-scale storage systems lose economic ground. The business models of many projects are buckling under the weight of higher interest rates, expensive grid infrastructure, falling electricity prices, and reduced subsidies. This impact is…
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Hamburg Rations Power Connections—Even Large-Scale Storage Systems Are Pushing the Grid to Its Limits
In the second half of 2026, Hamburg will introduce—for the first time—a new allocation procedure for large-scale electricity connections. This applies to new medium- and high-voltage connections with a capacity exceeding 1.5 megavolt-amperes. This measure is prompted by a sharp increase in requests for new connections. At the same time, key interconnection points are limiting…
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Lowest Figure in Over Ten Years: Just Under 207,000 Apartments to Be Built in 2025
It marks the lowest level in over ten years: only 206,600 apartments were built in Germany last year, as reported by the Federal Statistical Office on Friday. The Housing Construction Alliance described this figure as “dramatic,” stating that 400,000 apartments per year are “socially necessary.” Construction Minister Verena Hubertz (SPD) stated that she is looking…
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Germany loses 486,000 jobs in the first quarter of this year
In Germany, the number of employed persons declined significantly in the first quarter of 2026. From January to March, approximately 45.6 million people were employed—486,000 fewer than in the previous quarter. This decline is more pronounced than in many previous years, even though the beginning of the year typically tends to be weaker. On a…
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Nördlingen Loses Varta Plant: 350 Jobs Cut Following Lost Apple Contract
In the autumn of 2026, Varta will cease the production of rechargeable button cells at Varta Micro Production GmbH in Nördlingen, as its key major customer, Apple, has decided not to renew its order. The manufacturing operations were almost entirely geared toward this specific client. Consequently, around 350 employees will lose their jobs, while the…
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Thyssenkrupp Closes US Plant in Indiana – 230 Jobs Cut Amid Restructuring of Automotive Division
Thyssenkrupp is closing its U.S. plant in Terre Haute, Indiana, by the end of March 2027 at the latest. With this move—announced on Monday, May 18, 2026—the Essen-based industrial conglomerate is restructuring its U.S. production network within its automotive supply division. The decision is driven by changing customer requirements, fluctuating production volumes, and high costs.…
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Expert Council Dismantles Climate Policy: Billions Squandered, Economy Suffers, Climate Goals Fail
The Expert Council on Climate Issues has issued a scathing verdict on Germany’s climate policy. The oversight body has rejected the optimistic assumptions put forward by the Federal Environment Agency and the Federal Government. This rebuke stems from the assessment that the Agency significantly underestimated projected emission levels through 2030. Instead of a buffer of…
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OECD: More Than $100 Billion for Climate Protection in Poor Countries in 2024 as Well
In 2024—for the third consecutive year—wealthy nations collectively contributed more than $100 billion toward climate protection in poorer countries. However, the public share of this funding shrank by 2.6 percent, according to a report published by the OECD on Thursday. Figures for 2025—the year in which climate change skeptic Donald Trump began his second term…
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Xpeng Explores Acquisition of a VW Plant
In May 2026, the Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Xpeng is exploring the acquisition of a VW plant or a facility belonging to another European manufacturer. The company aims to use this move to relocate its production closer to European customers. This initiative is driven by discussions regarding available factory capacity, limited options at the contract…
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Infrastructure Collapse – TU Berlin Closes Main Building Due to Acute Safety Deficiencies
In Berlin, the decay of Germany’s infrastructure is now manifesting in drastic consequences: the Technical University was forced to abruptly close its main building due to acute safety deficiencies. Approximately 32,000 students and faculty members are affected, having had to vacate their offices and workspaces within just a few hours. The closure was triggered by…
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Concerns Block Domestic Gas Production in Bavaria – Germany Remains in Import Mode
In Bavaria, concerns regarding gas extraction are stalling the development of several domestic deposits—even though Germany continues to require gas in the wake of the energy crisis, the nuclear phase-out, and costly imports. In Reichling, located in the Alpine foothills, an exploratory drilling operation concluded back in August, yet public results remain unavailable. In Holzkirchen,…