Energy policy

All news and posts of our editorial team on the topic

Chemicals company Evonik wants to replace natural gas
The chemicals company Evonik wants to partially replace natural gas with other substances at its German sites. In total, up to 40 percent of Evonik’s German natural gas supply could be replaced without significantly restricting chemical production, the company reported in Essen on Monday. According to its own figures, Evonik procures a total of around […] continue reading →
Austria plans low-cost electricity share
The government in Vienna wants to implement proposals for the electricity price that are circulating for the gas market in Germany. The opposition, on the other hand, wants a comprehensive price cap along the lines of Spain and Portugal. continue reading →
Study: Germany can survive winter without Russian gas
If Russia were to cut off its gas supplies entirely in the coming weeks, Germany would have to reduce its gas consumption by around 25 percent by spring. This is the conclusion of a joint study by the University of Bonn and the University of Cologne. Even if the planned liquefied natural gas terminals went […] continue reading →
German Industry wants more compensation in exchange for abandoning gas
The auctions planned by the German government to save gas do not go far enough for the Federation of German Industries (BDI). In addition to a short-term auction model for companies to save gas, there also needs to be a second instrument for the medium-term release of gas quotas by companies. “Otherwise, the auction mechanism […] continue reading →
Spain adopts measures to save energy
The Spanish government has adopted “urgent measures” to save energy and use it more efficiently due to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. All public sector buildings, as well as department stores, cinemas, workplaces, hotels, train stations, and airports, will in the future be allowed to cool their premises to no less than 27 […] continue reading →
Czech Republic relieves citizens of energy costs
The Czech Republic is lending private households a helping hand with energy costs. President Miloš Zeman signed a corresponding law on Monday, which was passed by both chambers of parliament. The so-called concessionary tariff will initially apply during the upcoming heating season from the beginning of October 2022 to the end of March 2023. The […] continue reading →
Gas crisis: economists in favor of European coordination
In a letter to Minister Robert Habeck (Greens), the scientific advisory board of the German Ministry for Economic Affairs warns against national solo efforts in gas procurement. “If gas allocation is to be done on the basis of market prices, Germany will drive the price up and other countries may be tempted to cut off […] continue reading →
‘The nuclear power plants in France are more relevant than those in Germany’
With their decision to save gas, the EU energy ministers have taken a big step toward resistance to Putin's attempts of blackmail, according to Luxembourg's Green Energy Minister Claude Turmes in an interview with Manuel Berkel. Their austerity plans will be presented by the countries of the Pentalateral Energy Forum one month earlier than expected by the Council. In addition to Luxembourg and Germany, the collaborative effort includes France, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, and the Netherlands. continue reading →
Orbán – smooth sailing in Vienna
During his visit to Austria, the long-term Hungarian prime minister had an easy job of it. Meanwhile, Chancellor Nehammer is pushing for a joint EU gas purchase. continue reading →