Habeck announces major energy-saving program – Grüner now wants to “make a great effort”

Created: 03/18/2022, 05:11

By: Florian Naumann

Economics Minister Robert Habeck wants to counteract the consequences of the Ukraine conflict by saving energy.

© IMAGO/Chris Emil Janssen

The consequences of the Ukraine war can also be felt in Germany.

Green Minister Robert Habeck wants to react with a "great effort".

Berlin – Economics Minister Robert Habeck* is planning a big hit in terms of energy supply: The Greens announced a “major efficiency program” by the traffic light coalition on Thursday.

As one of the reasons for the plans, he named the Ukraine war that had been raging for weeks * - but also the wishes of the municipalities in Germany.

Ukraine conflict and the consequences: Habeck plans "great effort"

"The municipal associations are waiting for the heat transition to be implemented in the municipalities," said Habeck on Thursday after a meeting with the municipal umbrella organizations.

In view of the Ukraine conflict*, the question arises as to what else can be done.

"The kilowatt hour that is not consumed is the one that helps us the most at the moment," Habeck continued.

Russia's attack on Ukraine has made clear the importance of independence from Russian energy.

Now is the moment "to accomplish this great effort together," said Habeck.

Green Minister Habeck wants renovations - and help from Qatar?

The minister announced a binding municipal heating plan, in which, in addition to waste heat, waste water heat, solar thermal energy and biomass, a focus should also be placed on the renovation of existing buildings.

"The saving of energy by renovating the houses" must be made possible.

There is enormous potential for saving energy, especially when it comes to heating.

At the weekend, the Economics Minister is traveling to Qatar for talks, which should also deal with possible deliveries of liquid gas.

In the long term, the Federal Republic also wants to obtain hydrogen from Qatar, said Habeck.

The trip is therefore also about “contracts that have to be concluded in order to then bring this CO2-free energy source hydrogen to Germany and Europe”.

An expert recently spoke to

* rather skeptically about helping out Qatar in the energy crisis.

Habeck also spoke in the Bundestag on Thursday: In the debate about compulsory corona vaccination, he clearly advocated general compulsory vaccination from the age of 18.

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