Investment location of Saxony-Anhalt in April 2014
Minister-President Haseloff: Energy transition is successful in Saxony-Anhalt
"The energy transition is already successful in Saxony-Anhalt. However, it is also important that citizens and businesses are not burdened by high electricity costs. This is still a major challenge that we face with the energy transition", said Minister-President Dr Reiner Haseloff with respect to the agreement reached between the federal states and the federal government on Tuesday evening regarding the future development of green energy.
Haseloff: "The agreement is important so that the energy transition can go forward." On the one hand, Saxony-Anhalt makes a contribution to securing the base load through the conversion of brown coal in modern power stations. On the other hand, the state leads the way in the use of renewable energies. It is also well prepared for the production of wind turbines and photovoltaic modules. This not only serves climate protection but also helps towards becoming less dependent on energy imports.
The meeting between the federal states and the federal government focused on the future shape of the Renewable Energy Act (EEG) and the EEG cost allocation, with which the energy transition is financed and which every electricity customer has to pay. The federal government presented a new draft legislation on 4th May with which they want to manage the energy transition.
In particular, the agreement stipulates that onshore and offshore wind turbines will not be significantly slowed down. Electricity from biomass should also be considerably less restricted. Haseloff welcomes the compromise since it proves the overall responsibility of all federal states for the energy transition. In the interest of businesses, it is particularly important that the consumption regulations are significantly mitigated.
Zieschang: Saxony-Anhalt's state government is a strong proponent of the energy transition – cabinet approves energy strategy 2030
"Saxony-Anhalt has been engaged in the energy transition as a continuous project for many years. Much has been achieved in the process. The state is well above the national average in all fields of renewable energies. We wish to build on this by carrying on the energy transition with foresight and good judgement. Our energy strategy is pursuing an ambitious overall target: 26 per cent of primary energy consumption shall come from renewable energy sources by 2030. And that is broadly based across all sectors, i.e. electricity, heating and transport." The State Secretary of Science and Economic Affairs, Dr Tamara Zieschang, stated this at the presentation of the energy strategy 2030, which was decided upon by the cabinet today.
"The energy transition can only be successful if we remain an internationally competitive industrial nation in the future. We must emphasise cost effectiveness, sustainability and security of supply as objectives of equal value. Industrial production must continue to be achievable and affordable", Zieschang said. "Furthermore, close coordination between the federal and state governments is necessary for the efficient development of renewable energies and the network infrastructure. Otherwise we have 17 energy transitions but none that succeed."
Background: The energy strategy maps out the guidelines of energy policy in Saxony-Anhalt. The starting point of the development was an energy study by an independent research institute (EuPD) commissioned in 2012. This study and the design of the energy strategy were discussed in an extensive consultation process.
Prime Minister of Germany's federal state Saxony-Anhalt visits the Bromine facilities at the Dead Sea Works with ICL's CEO Stefan Borgas. Borgas: “As part of ICL’s expansion plans, we will invest up to $10 million in our Bitterfeld site, Germany”. The Prime Minister of the Saxony-Anhalt federal state in Germany yesterday toured at Dead Sea Works and the Bromine facilities together with ICL's CEO, Stefan Borgas. The Prime Minister has arrived in Israel for a one-week visit. ICL Industrial Products has a site in Saxony-Anhalt for decades, which makes flame retardants for the construction industry and agricultural and pharmaceuticals intermediates. Read more.