September 29, 2022
(press release)
–
The association DIE PAPIERINDUSTRIE has presented a position paper "Reset in energy policy", in which the framework for a future energy policy is outlined, which Germany will receive as an industrial location.
President Winfried Schaur (right) and HGF Alexander von Reibnitz presented the demands.
DIE PAPIERINDUSTRIE presented a concept for a new energy policy and demonstrated it in Berlin. President Winfried Schaur (right) and HGF Alexander von Reibnitz presented the demands.
The association DIE PAPIERINDUSTRIE has presented a position paper " Reset in energy policy ", in which the framework for a future energy policy is outlined, which Germany will receive as an industrial location. “As an energy-intensive industry, we are highly dependent on a secure and affordable energy supply. That is why we have now drawn up a position paper that is intended to give politicians food for thought," said the association's president, Winfried Schaur, at a meeting with the economic and energy policy spokespersons of the parliamentary groups of CDU/CSU, SPD, Bündnis90/Die Grünen and FDP.
The German paper industry recognizes the efforts of the federal government, the paper says. However, she warns against losing sight of the medium-term structural challenges for Germany as an industrial location in the current emergency. In addition to security of supply, a consistent energy policy must continue to focus on competitive energy prices. Specifically, the association proposes the following measures:
Short term:
- Germany urgently needs more base load power generation capacities on the electricity market that are independent of Russian energy imports. This means that the decommissioned lignite and hard coal power plants in particular must be reconnected to the grid as quickly as possible. But the nuclear power plants that were shut down at the end of 2021 and the three that are still running (a total of approx. 10 GW) must continue to be used as bridging technology for power generation. Their operation supports the base load, increases the security of supply and has a price-dampening effect.
- Decisions about reducing conventional energy generation must be reviewed at regular intervals depending on the actual additional secured and base load capacity of renewable energies.
- The design of the electricity market must be put to the test and the pricing must be adapted to a changed generation mix.
- The peak balance for energy-intensive industry must be extended for at least two years.
- The Federal Network Agency must make full and immediate use of the leeway created by the Replacement Power Plant Availability Act for the 7,000 hour rule for 2022.
- In order to ensure the competitiveness of the German economy, an industrial electricity price must be introduced promptly and a relief mechanism for the enormously high gas prices must be developed.
- Politicians must quickly develop new scenarios for secure electricity production and also take worst-case scenarios in the European context into account.
medium term
- The expansion of renewable energies must be pushed forward with vigour, and the approval procedures must be greatly accelerated. The capacity targets must be realistically assessed.
- New forms of stabilizing the energy supply (Power-to-X) must be realistically included and transition scenarios must be thought through.
- The increased domestic gas production (offshore, shale gas, etc.) must be actively promoted.
- Companies must be financially supported to further reduce their dependence on fossil raw materials in process operation (steam, drying, etc.) and to accelerate the switch to electricity-based processes. This is the only way to increase the transformation speed.
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