Energy prices in Germany are at a record high.
What are the consequences of increased costs for households and entrepreneurs?
Experts from the district give an assessment.
County
- It is no longer about expensive vacations or visits to restaurants.
Now it's about the daily bread, says Antje Spilsbury.
The rising energy prices will put a heavy burden on low-income households and social welfare recipients in particular, says the deputy head of Caritas in the district.
So strong that affected people could no longer afford to shop in the supermarket or discount store.
Spilsbury says that there are still options left over from the food banks or the help of Caritas.
Financial challenge especially for low-income people
Even now, a quarter of all single parents would be living below the standard rate of social benefits after deducting fixed costs, according to Spilsbury.
Now households also have to spend more on electricity, gas and petrol.
The problem: Because of the corona pandemic, people are at home much longer than they used to be.
“Low-income people often live in apartments with oil heating,” she says.
They would particularly suffer from soaring gasoline prices.
In addition, there are energetic problems of old apartments: "Anyone who lives in a house that has not been refurbished has to use more energy because a lot of energy is lost due to poor thermal insulation, cold bridges or outdated heating technology," says Benjamin Hahn from the district's own energy agency Ebersberg -Munich.
+
IHK boss Christoph Leicher warns that companies could leave Germany.
© private
So far, the rising energy prices in the various advisory services of the welfare association are not yet an issue.
“But most of the time these problems are downstream,” says Spilsbury.
In other words: Many people only notice the horrendous energy prices when the electricity and heating bills flutter into the house.
Then it would be too late to react to the prices - for example with energy advice.
Hence the appeal from Caritas: start thinking about how to deal with rising energy prices
Companies could migrate
Companies are also frustrated with energy prices.
At least they have “mostly better purchasing conditions” than private households, says Hahn from the energy agency.
In addition, they could possibly be reimbursed for parts of the energy costs, such as the electricity tax in the manufacturing sector.
However, entrepreneurs from the district are concerned about remaining competitive in the international market.
Processes would at least not have to be redirected because of the increased prices, says Diana Kaaserer from the semiconductor manufacturer Infineon in Neubiberg.
"However, the increased energy prices in Germany are not competitive in the international environment and are a burden on companies."
A “much bigger problem” than energy prices is another for large electricity consumers, says IHK regional boss Christoph Leicher: a secure supply.
The future digitization of companies will need a lot of electricity.
More and more e-cars should be on the road.
“Where should the electricity come from?” Asks Leicher.
The question leads companies in this country to consider moving away from Germany.
“Expensive electricity and an insecure supply - a bad mix,” says the entrepreneur.
In addition to the international competitiveness of the companies, security of supply must also be guaranteed, says Infineon spokeswoman Kaaserer.
