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IG BCE devises a road map for restarting the energy transition

The German Trade Union for Mining, Chemicals and Energy (IG BCE), based in Hanover/Germany, welcomes the news that the CDU, CSU and SPD plan to gather together all the stakeholder groups affected by the energy transition and hold discussions. “We will be actively involved in the planned commission,” announces Michael Vassiliadis, Chair of the IG BCE, at the union’s annual press conference. He added that the energy transition needed a restart “on its priority measures, on its funding and on its targets” and, to this end, presented a road map for his union.

This lays out plans for:

  • Clear prioritisation of the expansion and modernisation of electricity networks and storage facilities: Before we can reap the long-term benefits of renewable energies and continue to expand them, we have to build infrastructure that can fully utilise these resources.
  • An end to the system of blanket funding: Initial projects using the tendering model have proven that investments in renewables are still profitable even when the state contributes nothing or virtually nothing.
  • A move away from the renewable energy surcharge towards a tax-financed solution incorporating a social component.
  • Focused development of new state-of-the-art technologies for generating energy: Even in the distant future, electricity supply cannot be guaranteed by wind turbines and solar panels alone, because their contribution is too volatile.
  • A move from the electricity transition to the energy transition: This means considering heat generation and traffic and offering greater financial incentives to save energy.
  • A European perspective on energy supply: The IG BCE supports the EU Commission in its plans for an energy union.

“The long-term redevelopment of our energy supply is a marathon and not a sprint,” stresses the IG BCE Chair, “which is why we are delighted that the three potential parties of the Grand Coalition are – according to media reports – prepared to readjust the interim targets for CO2 savings by 2020 and that all three want to make progress without causing social and economic structural changes.” (IG BCE/Si.)