Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck has once again called on people in Germany to save energy.

"I ask everyone to make a contribution to saving energy now," he told the newspapers of the Funke media group against the background of the Ukraine war.

"As a rule of thumb, I would say: Saving ten percent is always possible."

The Green politician announced a corresponding government campaign.

"We can only become more independent from Russian imports if we see it as a big joint project in which we all participate," he added.

He advised citizens to use the train or bicycle at Easter.

"It's easy on the wallet and annoys Putin.

Curtains closed, heating down

The Economy Minister gave further advice on personal conduct.

"If you heat the apartment and draw the curtains in the evening, you save up to five percent of energy," he said.

"And if you lower the room temperature by one degree, it's around six percent.

It might not be that comfortable, but you don't get cold yet."

When asked about car-free Sundays, Habeck said: “You can now leave your car as good as possible – and not just on Sundays.

Every kilometer not driven is a contribution to making it easier to get away from Russian energy supplies.

We also protect the climate.”

Home office instead of commuting

With a view to commuters who depend on the car, the minister appealed to employers to consider “whether they offer home offices where possible to save energy.

We also did home office during the pandemic.

Wherever possible, one could work from home one or two days a week again – initially on a voluntary basis.”

When asked which industrial companies should be the first to lose power in the event of an energy shortage, Habeck replied that "nothing can be said in general terms, the structure is too complex for that".

Together with the Federal Network Agency, you are preparing for all scenarios.

“However, a situation with supply bottlenecks and the shutdown of industrial plants is an economic policy nightmare.

You can't really do anything right - just less wrong."

It would then be about "massive slumps" in the German economic cycles.

"That's why we will do everything we can to avoid that."