Exploding energy costs threaten the existence

All of Germany is suffering from rising energy prices and a high inflation rate.

The result: More and more private households and companies are in trouble.

The Garmisch-Partenkirchner traditional bakery Sand is already thinking about quitting.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen – The Sand bakery is a prominent victim of the horrendous energy costs.

"If the prices stay like this, we'll have to close in January," says Anton Sand.

The boss of the bakery canceled the gas contract with the Garmisch-Partenkirchen municipal works at the beginning of the year.

Nevertheless, he knows that other providers are just as expensive.

“I can no longer bake from January 1st,” explains the master baker.

"How am I supposed to pay for that?"

Sand does not know how to proceed.

According to him, gas costs have recently increased tenfold.

The two-month payments for heating the two furnaces increased from 600 to 6000 euros.

“How am I supposed to pay for that?” asks the 60-year-old.

Every year he needs around 140,000 kilowatt hours of gas to produce the baked goods.

The traditional company - in the third generation in the family business - is on the verge of collapse.

Are there subsidies from politics?

"Hope dies last," sighs Sand, who runs two branches, one on Schnitzschulstrasse and one on Bahnhofstrasse.

The Social Service for Catholic Women (SkF) in Garmisch-Partenkirchen is also observing social hardship.

The energy flat rate of 300 euros paid out in September doesn't help either, says SkF Managing Director German Kögl.

The lack of money is a shortcoming that the SkF employees clearly notice in their daily consultation.

"For a few months now, you've noticed a strong increase in older clients who come to the tea and warming room or ask for a leisure pass for the table," reports Kögl.

Everything has become more expensive: gas, electricity, groceries, even school stationery.

For many people, the money is no longer sufficient to cover basic daily needs, says Kögl.

“People on low incomes, especially single parents, are increasingly having to accept support against their will,

Günter Meck also makes clear that the fatal price developments lead to dramatic consequences.

At the municipal council meeting, Oberau's representative for the elderly reported a flood of pensioners who can no longer pay their utility bills - just the beginning.

"There's a wave coming at us," fears Meck.

The price increases are also becoming clear at the Bayerische Zugspitzbahn (BZB).

In July 2021, the BZB spent two percent of the total output on energy.

A year later, it's already eight percent.

"Of course, this six percent difference in additional costs reduces the contribution margin," emphasizes press spokeswoman Verena Tanzer.

Matthias Stauch adds: "Since the current values ​​refer to the summer month of July, naturally no statement can be made for the winter months.

We expect a massive impact on energy costs here.” According to the BZB board, the company is currently suffering most from the high price of gas.

The debtor and insolvency counseling, a department of Caritas, is still not feeling much of the increased burden.

"So far we have not noticed any increasing inquiries due to increased energy costs or inflation," says facility manager Fabian Pauwels.

Stephan Scharf reports the same.

To date, there have been no increased inquiries from the social welfare office or the job center, the press spokesman for the district office said.

More need for advice expected

But the situation could change soon.

Pauwels expects a need for advice in a timely manner - "when people receive their utility bills and the resulting additional claims and increased monthly installments they face." He assumes that the population will be confronted with a high financial burden, which will not only be felt by people who receive social benefits or in the low-wage sector concerned, but extends far into the middle class.

Scharf also expects that there will be more requests for social advice.

"It becomes problematic for families with very low incomes who do not fall under ALG II." Because they would have to bear the energy and heating costs completely themselves.