Protest storm in Cottbus: LEAG-employed fights against injustice!

Protest storm in Cottbus: LEAG-employed fights against injustice!

More than 2,400 employees of Lausitz Energie AG (LEAG) gathered on June 12th in the Cottbus Leag-EnergieSadion to demonstrate against the announcement by Federal Minister of Economics Katherina Reich (CDU). This had addressed the announcement of new gas power plants, which are to be largely prioritized in southern Germany. This causes great resentment among East Germans, since many perceive the decision as a structural disadvantage. The LEAG group of companies made it clear that such plans contradict the promise of the federal government to take into account locations in structural change. Energy and Management reports that Uwe Teubner, the chairman of the group council, made it clear: "We are not ready to continue to leave. "

"Two thirds of the planned 20,000 megawatts of gas power plant performance should be created in southern Germany, while East Germany could go empty -handed," continued Teubner. This leads to unequal competitive conditions and ignores the approved plans for 3,000 megawatts of hydrogen -capable gas power plants in Lausitz. Addressees such as Michael Vassiliadis, the chairman of the Bergbau, Chemistry, Energy (IGBCE) industrial union (IGBCE), solidarized with the protesters and called for a rapid implementation of the power plant strategy and a transformation bonus for the affected regions. Finally, the conversion of the LEAG to a more sustainable energy mix is ​​also influenced by the technological challenges in the course of the coal phase -out.

The way to the coal phase -out

The express coal phase -out has been politically decided since 2019 after the Commission has developed the timetable for exit. An end to the coal -based electricity electricity is planned by 2038 at the latest, clearly regulated in the coal exit law, which was adopted by the Bundestag and Federal Council on July 3, 2020. Despite these regulations, the situation remains tense, because the sponsors of the new gas power plants demand equivalent framework conditions in order to be able to invest in the necessary infrastructure.

As already indicated, it will not be easy to overcome the political and economic hurdles. At the point of the gas power plants, if everything runs according to plan, "green" hydrogen should be used. The state goal is clear: the energy generation of the future should become climate -friendly. However, 30 hydrogen -capable large gas power plants must be built by 2030, which presents the energy companies before immense challenges, since the financing remains open and the construction in the current market conditions appears unprofitable. Tagesschau indicates that the approval procedure and the construction of these facilities can take up to six years. An unclear political strategy also means that the construction is on the brink.

challenges and perspectives demand solutions

The LEAG itself is in the renovation and has set itself the goal of investing in wind and solar power, as well as battery storage. CEO Adolf Roesch emphasizes that the systems are technically well positioned in the medium term in order to master the transformation question. However, the financial scope limits a high feed -in of electricity from the wind and sun, which Leag has cost more than two million euros on contribution margin over Pentecost. Nevertheless, Roesch gives the employees hope: "LEAG will use funds to create future prospects for our employees."

The federal government has already provided massive resources for structural change in lignite regions elsewhere. Up to 40 billion euros are available to promote innovative concepts and create new jobs. This structure strengthening law could be crucial for the affected regions. The Federal Ministry of Economics itself promotes ideas competitions to adapt the economy to the new circumstances.

It remains to be seen whether the East Germans will receive a fair share of gas power plant construction in the future. The coming months will be decisive to set the new course for a climate -friendly energy future, and a quick political agreement is required in order not to stall the structural change.