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Dutch grid operators sound the alarm – no security of supply without gas-fired power plants
The Dutch power grid regularly reaches its technical capacity limits in many regions, prompting grid operators to sound the alarm. The impending decommissioning of major gas-fired power plants further exacerbates the situation, as power outages appear likely from 2028 onward. Security of supply in the Rotterdam metropolitan area is particularly under pressure, while the grid…
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Growth as an illusion – how politicians and institutes predict a recovery
The promised growth serves as a pacifier for politicians, even though the economic substance is lacking. The forecasts from research institutes also support this narrative, although key assumptions appear shaky. The multi-billion-euro special fund was supposed to trigger dynamism, yet the effect has largely dissipated. At the same time, the country’s competitiveness is suffering, while…
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Corporate headquarters in focus – new head of Deutsche Bahn cuts over 1,000 jobs
More than 1,000 jobs are being cut at Deutsche Bahn’s headquarters as new CEO Evelyn Palla implements a tough course of action. These job cuts form the core of the reform, which also brings the board closer to day-to-day operations. Punctuality and customer service are also under pressure, prompting management to announce a sweeping restructuring…
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Investor demands spin-off of loss-making wind power business at Siemens Energy
The debate surrounding a potential spin-off of Siemens Energy is intensifying, as an activist investor is pushing for a clear separation from the loss-making wind energy business. Ananym Capital believes the company would be significantly more valuable without this division, and the fund also sees considerable share price potential. At the same time, the performance…
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“The rest of the world is laughing at us” – Entrepreneur Herrenknecht settles accounts with politicians
In an interview with Handelsblatt, entrepreneur Martin Herrenknecht paints a stark picture of the state of Germany as a business location. He criticizes bureaucracy, China strategy, infrastructure, and the labor market equally. “Other countries are laughing at us,” warns the CEO, describing a republic bogged down in bureaucracy while competitors act more decisively. His analysis…
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Electric steel production halted – Thyssenkrupp abruptly suspends production
Thyssenkrupp is temporarily suspending electric steel production. The relevant plants will be shut down from mid-December. This means electric steel production will be temporarily suspended, even though the material remains indispensable for key industrial applications. According to internal assessments, around 1,200 jobs related to electric steel production are at serious risk. At the same time,…
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Anger and despair – mechanical engineering loses trust in government
The German mechanical engineering sector will experience a profound crisis of confidence in 2025. Numerous companies will lose faith in the political leadership as the business climate deteriorates once again and key reform initiatives fail to materialize. Furthermore, bureaucracy is paralyzing many businesses, while innovation is less frequently originating in Germany. This mixture of frustration…
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EU approves extensive state funding for Poland’s nuclear power plant
Poland is pushing ahead with its new nuclear power plant as a key project in its national energy transition, and the EU has approved crucial state funding for it. The European Commission has thus given the green light to a project that strengthens Poland’s position in the European energy market and simultaneously initiates a profound…
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Despite the green energy boom, Spain is sliding deeper into a national energy imbalance
Despite ideal conditions for solar and wind power, Spain is struggling with a growing imbalance. A high proportion of gas, significant overproduction, unstable electricity prices, and increasing grid congestion are putting immense pressure on the energy system. This combination creates a structural imbalance. A surplus of green energy is driving tariffs down so drastically that…
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The EU plans to introduce its own corporate taxes to cover increased spending
The European Commission is focusing its efforts on new corporate taxes to cover rising expenditures. This move comes as several member states oppose higher contributions. Brussels is also aiming for increased EU own resources, relying on structural reforms to the financial framework. Defense financing is also coming into focus due to rising geopolitical risks. In…
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The end of the combustion engine ban is a sham
The EU is celebrating the supposed end of the combustion engine ban as a breakthrough. In reality, this decision is a sham. The combustion engine ban, the stricter fleet targets, new rules for company cars, and the emphasis on e-fuels remain key control instruments. The impression of relief is deceptive. The measure primarily serves to…
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More and more homeowners fear losing their property
Many homeowners fear they will no longer be able to afford the costs of their property and therefore fear losing it. A recent survey reveals the extent of this concern: 16 percent see their financing as seriously at risk, a figure that rises to 24 percent among low-income families. Increasing interest rate pressure is driving…
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A battery fire in an electric truck paralyzed the A46 motorway for hours
A battery fire on an electric truck transporting hazardous materials led to a complete closure of the A46 near Haan for several hours. The incident involved a hazardous materials transport using a modern high-voltage battery, prompting emergency services to completely close the A46. The electric truck caught fire after an accident, and the battery fire…
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Reactor technology between progress and populism – Söder’s nuclear policy under scrutiny
Markus Söder is calling for a return to nuclear power, presenting himself as a champion of modern reactor technology. He justifies this by citing an allegedly existing Small Modular Reactor in Canada, using it as an argument for new nuclear power in Germany. However, this claim does not stand up to scrutiny. Not a single…
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Machine manufacturer Voith in Heidenheim is planning a major restructuring – 2,500 jobs are to be cut
Voith’s industrial restructuring is hitting Heidenheim hard. The company plans to cut 2,500 jobs as part of a comprehensive corporate reorganization. The job cuts, strategic realignment, rising energy costs, and increasing competitive pressure form the economic basis for this decision. Heidenheim is symbolic of the challenges facing Germany as an industrial location, as its mechanical…