German union backs ‘reality check’ on energy planning

Frankfurt – German trade union IGBCE said has welcomed the latest energy monitoring report by the federal government, stating that it shows that “energy policy has at last caught up with reality, albeit late.”

Published 14 Sept, the ‘energy transition report’ sets out 10 strategic actions for the German government to address shortfalls in the expansion of renewable energy capacity, delays in transmitting secured power supply, and rising energy bills for both businesses and households.

Described by economy minister Katherina Reiche as a "reality check" of the transition's progress, the report proposes more pragmatic climate policy, speeded deployment of guaranteed capacity and measures to ease energy costs.

In a 15 Sept statement, the IGBCE welcome the report, saying that it exposed failings in past energy transition planning and called for faster, more pragmatic reforms.

“The report remorselessly exposes the problems of the energy transition in the past,” said Michael Vassiliadis, chair of IGBCE.

It, he went on to say, confirms in “our long-standing criticism of how the transformation has been managed.”

Vassiliadis, however, urged the federal government to implement a swift follow-through.

“Faster build-out of secured capacity, relief on energy bills for industry and households, pragmatism in climate policy,” he said are essential.

“Our colleagues are experiencing the disruptions first-hand… Our criticism has been accepted late, but not too late,” he concluded.