After a top-level discussion on the energy supply in the Hessian State Chancellery, Prime Minister Boris Rhein (CDU) called on the Federal Government to act on Wednesday.

You have to present an overall concept before the introduction of the gas levy on October 1st, said the Union politician.

Ewald Hetrodt

Correspondent for the Rhein-Main-Zeitung in Wiesbaden.

  • Follow I follow

The energy-intensive industry needs more support, people with low and middle incomes need to be relieved.

The state government itself wants to make a contribution to this, announced Rhein.

What that can look like is to be discussed in conversation with the Hessian social associations.

On Wednesday, their representatives were among around 30 representatives from interest groups and companies who exchanged views on the energy supply crisis at the "gas summit".

The situation is serious, Rhein stated.

"But there is no need to panic."

High gas prices the most important tool

In a press conference after the four-hour exchange, the President of the Federal Network Agency Klaus Müller and the Nuremberg economist Veronika Grimm emphasized how important it is to massively reduce gas consumption.

The economist, who is called economics because she is a member of the Advisory Council for the assessment of overall economic development, described high gas prices as the most important instrument for reducing consumption.

Because they offer incentives for comprehensive savings.

"The need to pass the high prices on to consumers must be clearly communicated," Grimm demanded.

"Hardships that result from this should be cushioned from the outset." The federal states have no regulatory options, Rhein stated.

However, they could assert their influence in different committees.

Hesse is working intensively with the Federal Government, the Federal Network Agency and the other federal states to ensure "that we not only get through next winter well, but also through the winter after next".

According to Rhein, by 2030 the only way to ensure supply is with a "cloverleaf" of renewable energies, coal, natural gas and mineral oils.

Grimm emphasized the role of nuclear energy and advocated extending the planned service life of the three nuclear power plants still on the grid in Germany.

When asked about this, Rhein was initially unreservedly positive and spoke of a “360-degree openness” for all possible solutions.

He later adopted the restrictions formulated by State Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Affairs Philipp Nimmermann (The Greens) from the point of view of the small coalition partner.

After that, the ongoing stress test initiated by the Federal Ministry of Economics will be awaited.

If it turns out that with the existing fuel rods a stretching operation of about three to four months could make sense, then we are open to it, said Nimmermann.

However, this does not apply to the purchase of new fuels, in order to enable even longer additional running times.

Because the problem of final storage is still not resolved.

There are "no differences between the coalition partners" on this question, stressed Rhein.

The decision was of course a matter for politicians, Grimm stated.

Science can only state that the failure of Russian gas and the increasing demand for electricity will result in a significant supply gap by 2030.

Closing them solely with the help of climate-damaging coal-fired power plants is not the right way.

“Pointing finger towards the federal government”

Rhein reminded that the state government had presented an energy saving package with which its administration would reduce its own consumption by up to 15 percent from the next heating period.

In addition, a crisis team has been set up as a central communication point to Berlin.

The federal government called on Rhein to organize an energy saving pact from the federal, state and local governments.

The "pointing finger in the direction of the federal government" met with criticism from the SPD parliamentary group.

Deputy Stephan Grüger complained that black and green lacked their own concept.

As expected, "the so-called gas summit" produced a lot of hot air, "but unfortunately you can't heat it with it".

Die Linke criticized the contribution of the Economic Wise Men Grimm.

Underlining the importance of high gas prices is a "mockery of all people in the country who are worried about the next utility bill," said parliamentary group leader Elisabeth Kula.

According to Kula, the market economy approach that prices offer incentives to save could perhaps still work in industry.

"But at some point a family can no longer heat less."