Energy industry calls for new aid instruments for investments in the energy transition
The energy industry is calling for new aid instruments to finance the billions of euros being invested in the energy transition. "The companies are facing a task of the century," said Kerstin Andreae, Managing Director of the German Association of the Energy Industry (BDEW), in Berlin on Wednesday. Up to one trillion euros would be needed by 2045, and 600 billion euros alone by 2030. However, instead of the 100 billion euros required, only 22 billion euros were invested in 2022. However, companies' borrowing has reached a limit. The current budget crisis is also undermining confidence in political support. "There is a threat of a full stop," warned Andreae. What is needed now, however, is flanking measures such as better depreciation rules, easier conditions for banks when granting green loans and a public support fund.
BDEW, the German Association of Local Utilities (VKU) and the consulting firm Deloitte have therefore developed a position paper entitled "Capital for the energy transition". "Without government measures for de-risking, such as guarantees, development bank loans or direct investments, the energy transition will not be able to be adequately financed," it states. The energy companies are currently predominantly solid. "The annual investment budget will have to multiply in the coming years," said VKU Managing Director Ingbert Liebing.
Among other things, the paper suggests lowering the capital requirements for banks when granting green loans, state guarantees and the inclusion of smaller companies in the EU guidelines for the banking sector on green financing (taxonomy).
The energy transition requires investments of up to a trillion euros by 2045, with 600 billion euros needed by 2030. However, the actual investments in 2022 only amounted to 22 billion euros, highlighting the need for new aid instruments until the full amount is raised.
Without adequate government measures, such as guarantees, development bank loans, or direct investments, the energy transition may not be financed sufficiently. As stated in a position paper by BDEW, VKU, and Deloitte, the energy companies' annual investment budget will need to significantly increase in the coming years.
The utility sector recognizes the importance of auxiliary instruments like lowering bank capital requirements for green loans, state guarantees, and incorporating smaller companies into the EU's taxonomy for green financing, to facilitate smooth energy transition investments.
Source: www.ntv.de
