Habeck's energy-saving plan: the Vice Chancellor only wants to heat public buildings to 19 degrees

Created: 08/13/2022, 06:37

By: Andreas Schmid

Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) wants public buildings to be heated less.

© Michael Kappeler/dpa

Economics Minister Habeck announces the next energy-saving measure: public buildings are to be cooled down.

Berlin – Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) is currently acting as Energy Saving Minister.

The Vice Chancellor has now announced strict regulations for autumn and winter to save energy.

For example, "in public properties - hospitals, social facilities excluded, of course - should only be heated to 19 degrees," as Habeck

said in the

In addition, buildings and monuments should no longer be illuminated at night and advertising systems should not be illuminated.

Habeck initially did not name a date.

"More savings are also needed in the world of work," Habeck told the newspaper.

This is currently being discussed with the Ministry of Labor and the social partners.

Habeck's energy saving plan: based on Spain

Habeck may be orienting his savings plans to Spain.

The Iberians have already adopted a comprehensive package of energy saving measures.

Since the end of May, public buildings and, more recently, shops, cultural institutions, airports and train stations should not be cooled below 27 degrees and only heated to a maximum of 19 degrees in winter.

Shop windows should no longer be illuminated after closing time and the lights in public buildings should be switched off when they are not in use.

EU gas emergency plan: Germany must save more than other countries

Another suggestion comes from Brussels.

The EU gas emergency plan went into effect on Tuesday.

From the beginning of August to March next year, the member countries have to save 15 percent on gas – compared to the average of the past five years of this period.

How the 27 EU countries lower their demand is up to them.

The regulation provides for numerous exceptions for states and "critical sectors of the economy" such as the food industry.

In view of the exceptions, Germany will probably have to save significantly more gas than other countries in order to prevent massive problems for the industry or even a recession in the event of a possible Russian gas supply stop.

The German savings target is 20 percent.

In Germany, some gas-fired power plants also supply electricity or district heating.

Burdens unequally distributed: Habeck wants to prevent the division of society

Economics Minister Habeck considers the burdens in this crisis to be unequally distributed and also recognizes the dangers in this.

"A society that falls apart into different groups - a part that fears for its existence and feels left alone, and a part that is largely unburdened by it - such a society falls apart," warned the Green politician in an interview with the

.

But the solution is to provide targeted support to people and companies.

"Anyone who has so little money that they live on social transfers or receive housing benefit should be fully relieved of the additional costs for energy on average, lower and middle incomes proportionately," says Habeck.

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There is money for this, because when prices rise, the state automatically has more income - for example from the value added tax for electricity and gas.

"These should be used for relief," said the Economics Minister, adding that certain companies would also have to be challenged more: "It's no secret that I think some corporations, which make high excess profits from the war alone, can do one make a

stronger contribution.”