Politicians swarm out in search of energy: Baerbock and Söder on a mission – Scholz collects activist scolding

Created: 05/25/2022, 10:57 am

By: Florian Naumann

Senegal was the first stop on Chancellor Olaf Scholz's first trip to Africa, before continuing on to Niger and South Africa (archive photo).

© Michael Kappeler/dpa

Germany wants to free itself from Russian energy supplies in the Ukraine conflict.

Now hectic travel activity breaks out.

Also there: Markus Söder.

Kristiansand/Munich – Only on Wednesday night did the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba call for a complete trade freeze for Russia.

Apparently, that won't happen any time soon.

But: Germany is working flat out on alternative import sources for its energy needs.

Half of the top politicians seem to be on the way to finding external solutions for Russia's collapsing imports.

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) is now speaking in Norway about offshore wind energy.

Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) is meanwhile traveling to Greece - there, among other things, an "energy dialogue" is to be discussed.

Shortly before, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) had offered Senegal a gas production cooperation during his trip to Africa.

But there is still a lot to do.

Ukraine war: Baerbock with the most important energy supplier to Russia – offshore wind should help

Baerbock is staying with a close partner in the looming energy crisis: The Council of the Baltic Sea States is meeting in Norway – for the first time without Russia due to the Ukraine conflict.

Germany takes over the chair of the committee on July 1st.

And the Green politician has already named a main focus point.

She wants to promote cooperation within the Baltic Sea region in the production of offshore wind energy.

With electricity from wind and other renewable energy sources, one frees oneself from Russian energy imports and combats global warming, explained Baerbock.

"The phase-out of fossil fuels is therefore not only a climate policy necessity, but also a security policy imperative." The meeting in Kristiansand should also deal with other consequences of the Russian attack on Ukraine.

Baerbock is also planning a meeting with her Norwegian counterpart, Anniken Huitfeldt.

Russia's energy vacuum: Germany, Norway and offshore wind energy

According to the federal government, Norway is the second most important energy supplier for Germany – after Russia.

A third of natural gas imports and around seven percent of oil imports (as of March 2022) come from Norway.

Conversely, Germany is Norway's largest customer for gas.

Alongside wind power on land and solar energy, offshore wind power is a central pillar in the expansion of green electricity in Germany.

In the coalition agreement, the traffic light government has significantly increased the expansion targets for offshore wind energy compared to the plans of GroKo.

Instead of 20 gigawatts (GW) by 2030 and 40 GW by 2040, it should now be 30 GW by 2030, 40 GW by 2035 and 70 GW by 2045.

There are currently 1,501 wind turbines with almost 7.8 GW in operation in the North Sea and Baltic Sea, mostly in offshore areas in the so-called exclusive economic zone (EEZ), which Germany is allowed to use exclusively in international waters.

Russia's war of aggression: Söder is now looking for energy sources in Greece - "pipelines" for Bavaria?

Markus Söder, in turn, travels to Greece on Wednesday (May 25) together with around 50 members of his parliamentary group.

"In addition to the diverse cultural and human relationships, we want to start an energy dialogue," said the CSU boss in advance of the dpa.

Greece is building a liquid gas terminal in the port of Alexandroupolis.

"There may be joint potential for renewable energies and for liquid gas, which could then also be used in Bavaria via pipelines."

Söder emphasized that in view of the current situation with high energy prices and concerns about future security of supply, "all options" must be used to strengthen "Bavaria's southern routes".

“Everything south and southeast of Bavaria is relevant.

We have a bridging function for the whole of Germany.” “All potential” must be used, which also applies to joint energy projects with other countries.

"It would also be worth considering, for example, whether a joint solar park for joint electricity production could be launched," said Söder.

In addition to Prime Minister Mitsotakis on Thursday, the CSU parliamentary group also wants to meet President Katherina Sakellaropoulou and Parliament Speaker Konstantinos Tasoulas.

The four-day trip also includes a visit to the refugee camp in Attica.

"Traditionally, the relationship between Bavaria and Greece has always been very good," said Söder.

It was a bit of a challenge during the euro crisis, but that eased again - "particularly because the new government is pursuing a solid and serious financial course".

also read

"Like 1945": Putin is confident of victory - but the West puts the next damper on Russia

"Increasingly feverish and unstable": Ex-secret service agent reports of "chaos" surrounding Putin

Scholz offers gas cooperation in Senegal: Fridays For Future appalled – “cynicism”, “brazen”

Chancellor Scholz's trip to Africa has meanwhile already ended.

But there is still criticism: Representatives of the climate movement Fridays for Future were disillusioned.

"Knowing that Germany itself is not complying with the climate targets and is still refusing to pay the promised development funds for climate adaptation to the Global South, the self-appointed climate chancellor travels to the climate hotspot of Africa and advertises new gas drilling," said activist Luisa Neubauer dpa.

That cannot be surpassed in terms of cynicism.

"In order to still have a chance to stabilize the global climate in the medium term and to protect ourselves, there can be no more new oil or gas fields."

Scholz has offered Senegal cooperation on gas production.

It is about the development of a gas field off the West African coast, in which Mauritania and Senegal are also involved.

The Chancellor also showed his willingness to cooperate more closely on renewable energies.

Yero Sarr of Fridays for Future Senegal pointed out that Africa is only responsible for four percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

At the climate conference in Glasgow, all countries agreed to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees compared to the pre-industrial age.

"That shouldn't be too difficult for a chancellor like Olaf Scholz to understand.

And now he's traveling to Senegal to promote the development of new gas wells.

We'll tell you what that is: It's bold." Rather, support is needed for the switch to renewable energies.

Scholz had visited Senegal, Niger and South Africa in three days since Sunday on his first trip to Africa.

Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck (Greens) had already received some harsh criticism for a trip to Qatar in the spring.

(

)