“The EEG surcharge remains a central point,” said the SPD politician to the Handelsblatt. It must be reduced to zero, which will reduce the price of electricity by around four cents.
Lies added that he viewed the current situation in the energy markets “with great concern”. “The high electricity prices are already driving consumer prices and are becoming a threat to the development of our industrial location.”
Against this background, Brandenburg’s Economics Minister Jörg Steinbach (SPD) emphasized that the supply of energy must remain affordable for everyone. “The rapid abolition of the EEG surcharge is a key element in relieving both private consumers and companies along the entire value chain,” Steinbach told Handelsblatt. It will be crucial to create solid counter-financing.
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The Baden-Württemberg Environment Minister Thekla Walker (Greens) also called for price increases in electricity to be intercepted. The short-term abolition of the EEG surcharge is “essential”, she told the Handelsblatt.
Suspension of electricity and gas locks demanded
The costs for electricity, oil and natural gas for heating had recently increased significantly. In summer, many households are threatened with hefty utility bills. The federal government wants to pay housing benefit recipients, i.e. households with low incomes, a heating cost subsidy. There are also discussions about abolishing the EEG surcharge for electricity customers earlier than planned.
The abolition of the EEG surcharge is currently planned for January 1, 2023. The multi-billion dollar subsidy for green electricity should then no longer be paid via the consumer’s electricity bill, but from the federal budget. According to Climate and Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens), this would save an average household by 300 euros per year.
Last Thursday, SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich said that the federal government and the coalition parliamentary groups were talking about granting certain relief earlier because of the high energy prices. In addition to the EEG surcharge, he also cited targeted aid as examples. This could be the announced climate money, a direct grant to households.
Baden-Württemberg’s Environment Minister Walker appealed to the federal government to examine whether social compensation is needed in the short term to relieve low-income households, particularly in view of the rising heating costs. “For example, an increase in housing benefit or the temporary suspension of electricity and gas locks would be conceivable,” said Walker.
CO2 pricing for heat makes heating more expensive
Burdens also result from the increased CO2 price at the turn of the year, which made premium petrol, diesel and heating oil more expensive. The tax was introduced in Germany in 2021. It is intended to help reduce climate-damaging carbon dioxide emissions in the areas of heat and transport.
Those placing the gas on the market, such as gas suppliers or mineral oil companies, must purchase the certificates. The additional costs are usually passed on to the end user. In 2021, a certificate for one ton of carbon dioxide cost 25 euros, in 2022 it will be 30 euros. By 2025, the price will gradually increase to 55 euros.
Minister Walker sees CO2 pricing for heat as “a correct and important element for climate protection”. However, it is important to ensure fair distribution: not only the tenants, but also the landlords have to contribute to the CO2 costs.
The energetic refurbishment of buildings in particular saves a lot of money in addition to CO2 emissions. “And it is the opposite of climate protection when poorly insulated apartments are heated a lot and thus a lot of CO2 is produced – and the people who live in them are supposed to pay for it all by themselves.” ‘ Walker said.
More: More protection for electricity customers: Traffic lights are pushing for uniform tariffs in the basic supply