Extended lifetimes of nuclear power plants or fracking should no longer be taboo.
(Photo: dpa)
On his trip through Scandinavia, Chancellor Olaf Scholz once again experienced first-hand that it will take a long time for Germany to overcome the consequences of its naïve energy policy. Norway – after all the second largest gas supplier after Russia – has increased gas supplies to the EU by ten percent since the beginning of the war.
But more can not be delivered for the time being, made Norway’s head of government friendly but definitely clear. Scholz heard something similar in Stockholm: When she checked in the morning, the high-voltage line from Sweden to Germany was at the limit, the Swedish head of government said dryly.
After the unsuccessful efforts of the economics minister in Qatar, the chancellor in Scandinavia also had little to gain for the time being when it came to gas replacement. Germany remains on its own for the time being, with all the concrete consequences.
In Norway and Sweden, it was noted with surprise that the Germans are already being called on to take shorter showers and not heat pools and public spaces so much. And winter is yet to come.
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And before that, Scholz is threatened with a hot autumn politically. The new gas levy will mean additional costs of several hundred euros per year for average earner families. While the burdens are visible down to the third decimal place, the relief that Scholz wants to bring about remains cloudy for the time being.
For him, this non-simultaneity of burdens and relief is unfortunate, as it gives the impression that, contrary to what was promised, the public would have to walk the path to the new energy freedom pretty much on their own.
Scholz resolutely counters this impression on his trip. He points to the third rescue package, which should come sooner rather than later.
It is correct that the chancellor wants to encourage the citizens. A package must not fail because of the money, the situation is too serious for that. But the hard part comes after that. The Germans must realize that they can no longer outsource all unpleasant forms of energy production.
An extension of the operating times of nuclear power plants is unavoidable, and the possible underground storage of carbon dioxide, which was controversial and abandoned in Germany years ago, should also be discussed. And even fracking can no longer be a taboo subject.
More: Olaf Scholz and the search for a gas substitute.