Berlin Brandenburg’s Prime Minister Dietmar Woidke (SPD) has warned against stopping the import of oil and gas from Russia because of the war of aggression in Ukraine. “I hope that Russia will stand by its treaty obligations. And that we are aware at the federal level that a complete stop to energy supplies would present us with major problems,” he told the Handelsblatt.
In this context, Woidke pointed out that the PCK refinery in Schwedt, Brandenburg, processes Russian oil into petrol, diesel, kerosene and heating oil. “Entire production chains and supplies in north-eastern Germany – including Berlin Brandenburg Airport – depend on this,” said the SPD politician. “So we are currently dependent on Russian deliveries there too.”
In view of the Russian war of aggression, Woidke is critical of the fact that the Russian energy company Rosneft has a majority stake in the refinery. “Everything that has to do with Russia is on shaky ground,” said Woidke. However, several thousand jobs depended on the refinery in Schwedt – for Woidke another reason against an energy embargo.
The head of government demanded consequences from former chancellor Gerhard Schröder (SPD), who is chairman of the Rosneft supervisory board. “In the current situation, I think it is difficult for him to remain the head of the Rosneft board. He should reconsider this commitment, which is also associated with financial advantages for him.”
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In view of rising energy prices, Woidke also advocated further relief for citizens. “Social cohesion is at stake when energy becomes a luxury,” he warned.
Read the entire interview here:
Mr. Woidke, Brandenburg advertises that the expansion of renewable energies is well advanced. Then you could be relaxed about a possible energy ban from Russia.
We can’t be relaxed at all. It’s true: mathematically, we can already cover 94 percent of our electricity needs from renewable energies, and we’re the leader in Germany in that area. But when it comes to heat supply, we are dependent on natural gas. And that comes to a large extent from Russia.
How about the oil? In Schwedt, on the border with Poland, the Russian pipeline with the now inappropriate name “Druschba” ends. – “Friendship”.
The PCK refinery there processes the Russian oil into petrol, diesel, kerosene and heating oil. Entire production chains and supplies in north-eastern Germany depend on it – including Berlin Brandenburg Airport – away. So at the moment we are also dependent on Russian deliveries.
The Russian energy company Rosneft not only has a majority stake in the refinery, it also wants to increase its stake. Is the investment on shaky ground?
Everything to do with Russia is on shaky ground. I very much hope that conditions will be stable again as soon as possible. Several thousand jobs depend on the refinery in Schwedt. This is one of the reasons why I am convinced that it is right that there is no Russian oil embargo.
However, the refinery in Schwedt could become the target of sanctions due to its links with Rosneft.
I hope that Russia will stand by its treaty obligations. And that we are aware at the federal level that a complete stop to energy supplies would pose major problems for us. Much is at stake, and not just because of a lack of energy supplies.
What exactly do you mean?
The refinery has also been involved in the development of green fuels such as biokerosene for some time. If the company gets into trouble, future projects like this are also at risk.
The chairman of the supervisory board of Rosneft is ex-Chancellor Gerhard Schröder. Can he stay?
Gerhard Schröder has done a lot for our country. He also did a lot for the Schwedt site. In the current situation, however, I think it will be difficult for him to remain the head of the Rosneft supervisory board. He should reconsider this commitment, which is also associated with financial advantages for him.
With a view to ending the war, can Schröder make a difference?
The Russian President is the only one who can stop the war. Anyone who can help convince Putin of this should help.
>> Read also: Praise, skepticism, criticism: This is how German politicians reacted to Schröder’s trip to Moscow
Was it a mistake not to get out of the Russian dependency sooner? At least since the annexation of Crimea in 2014?
Throughout the Cold War, Russia had a stable supply of gas to West Germany and West Berlin, which later increased its dependency even further. Russia was considered a reliable partner. And Germany, which is part of being honest, has also made itself comfortable to a certain extent.
In what way?
We want cheap electricity and a warm apartment, but no natural gas production in Germany, neither on the mainland nor in the Wadden Sea. We reject fracking gas and coal-fired power generation, and nuclear power even more.
And now: How could Germany free itself from Russian dependence?
In addition to fracking gas from the USA, we can obtain significant quantities of gas from Russia or liquid gas from Qatar. So we have a choice between plague and cholera.
What about the German coal phase-out in 2030?
I believe that the coal-fired power plants will have to run longer than “ideally” until 2030, as formulated in the coalition agreement. The date 2038 is set in the coal phase-out law. If you want to prefer that, you have to clearly state how it is supposed to work.
The federal government’s plan was to build new gas-fired power plants in Germany. Is that now obsolete?
Against the background of the current international situation, I consider the construction of additional gas-fired power plants to be irresponsible and unfeasible. Our dependency would continue to increase. The way can only be to expand renewable energies in order to at least be able to cover the increasing demand for electricity. This requires faster approval and planning procedures. If we are able to get approval for a large car factory – Tesla here in Brandenburg – in a good two years, then it shouldn’t take six or seven years to get approval for a wind turbine.
The power plant in Bavaria is one of the three nuclear power plants that are still connected to the grid in Germany.
(Photo: dpa)
How do you feel about longer lifetimes for nuclear power plants?
There are a number of good reasons why this shouldn’t happen. One of the most important reasons for me is that we still don’t have a sensible solution to nuclear waste.
Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder wants the three nuclear power plants that are still connected to the power grid to continue to run for at least three years.
I took note of this with great interest. Oddly enough, Mr. Söder also stated that there can be no nuclear waste repository in his state. That doesn’t add up for me. If you want to keep these nuclear power plants running longer, you have to be willing to store the nuclear waste.
Rising energy prices are putting additional pressure on politicians to act. Various measures to relieve the burden on citizens and companies are being discussed. What are you requesting?
The state should not benefit from the fact that energy prices are currently shooting through the roof. There are different ideas about how to intervene here. But something has to happen quickly. Social cohesion is at stake when energy becomes a luxury. That’s why we have to help people. But it is also about securing the competitiveness of our economy.
Also read: Tax cuts, fuel discounts and energy bills: the traffic light discusses these reliefs
What exactly has to happen?
The state is currently making money from the high prices at the expense of the citizens. Energy prices are increasingly becoming a social issue. The state must intervene urgently.
Do you fear social unrest if relief doesn’t come quickly?
Most people understand that the current crisis situation has an impact on energy prices. On the other hand, people have to be able to get by with what they earn. We are well advised to take the burden on people seriously. Nobody wants social unrest.
What do you think of the idea of a tank discount?
A tank discount is not particularly helpful. What happens if a petroleum company simply charges three euros per liter of fuel? I don’t think a discount is a good incentive. We should find a solution with industry that will continue to drive us to offer the lowest possible prices in the face of competition.
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Should companies also be relieved?
Yes, there must be relief for companies. We are massively affected with the forwarding trade in a very sensitive area. The trade maintains the supply chains in Germany and ensures that the shelves in supermarkets are full. The freight forwarders help the companies to be able to work because they deliver parts, tools and raw materials. That’s why you have to react very quickly here.
Another challenge is the large number of refugees from Ukraine. Is Germany prepared for this?
Being prepared depends heavily on knowing what’s coming; we don’t know that at the moment. Germany will manage to accommodate the people who have to flee their homeland from a criminal war. The solidarity and helpfulness is great. I am infinitely grateful for that!
Berlin seems to be increasingly overwhelmed.
About two thirds of the people fleeing from Ukraine to Germany arrive in Berlin. Of course, Berlin can’t cope with that alone. It is also difficult to accommodate people in exhibition halls or airport terminals for long periods of time. It is important to distribute them as quickly and evenly as possible across Germany.
Do we need a refugee summit in the chancellery to coordinate this?
You have to see that. We states and municipalities are already in close contact. Many of the structures built up in the wave of refugees in 2015 still exist. You help us now.
Does the federal government have to bear the costs?
The federal government will contribute fairly to the costs. The federal government has assured the states and municipalities. We are currently clarifying the details.
Mr. Woidke, thank you very much for the interview.
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