European Commission publishes energy package

"The Energy package presented by the European Commission is generally positive and contains important approaches to reduce burdens created by high energy costs. For the crafts sector, the consistently high electricity costs remain the central issue in this context. The adjustments to the rules for network charges and energy taxation announced by the Commission must be implemented as fast as possible, so they can reduce the burden placed on businesses. Here, it should be clarified when and to what extent enterprises can benefit from the burden reduction. 

Independent of further decisions on the EU level, the German federal government should already act now and reduce burdens on businesses, by reducing the electricity tax on the EU minimum, as it had been announced in the coalition agreement. This option is already available to Member States and must be taken up by the Federal Government without delay.

The crafts sector is the central actor for electrification – wherever sensible and practical. This ranges from the installation of heat pumps to the installation of charging infrastructure and energy-efficient building renovation. However, in individual sectors, electrification finds its limits. For instance, bakeries will not be able to electrify their gas-powered high-performance ovens, at least in the medium term.

To ensure the transformation to a competitive and sustainable economy is successful, it is critical that energy prices remain affordable and the legal framework reliable. The energy package has to be quickly implemented in pursuit of this goal."