- IHK survey: confidence in energy policy'severely damaged'
The trust of the Rhineland-Palatinate economy in energy policy is "severely damaged," according to the Association of Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK). For the third consecutive time, companies surveyed in the Energy Transition Barometer reported that high energy prices were preventing investments, the IHK Association in Mainz announced. Nearly 40 percent of the around 150 companies surveyed in June saw their competitiveness even threatened.
Companies lack perspective
The barometer value continues to move in a strongly negative range and is even worse than the national average, the IHK Association of Rhineland-Palatinate reported. "Companies lack a perspective for a reliable energy supply at competitive prices," said Arne Rösel, managing director of the IHK Association of the state. This is particularly concerning for the industrial companies that shape the federal state.
28 percent of respondents were thinking about or had already implemented a relocation of capacities abroad. This is "nearly a doubling compared to the last two years," Rösel said. And it applies across industries, for companies in industry, construction, services, and trade.
Relief in energy prices
Half of the respondents spoke out in favor of lower taxes and levies on electricity. Nearly 90 percent called for better framework conditions for self-supply and direct supply contracts.
Compared to 2023, however, there is a slight easing in energy prices: Only half of the companies are now affected by rising prices, compared to almost 80 percent last year. Almost all companies are dealing with energy-saving measures and see the greatest potential in electricity consumption. Due to the complexity, external service providers with energy and environmental management systems are increasingly being commissioned.
The companies were also asked when their operations could be climate-neutral. The respondents considered the federal government's goal (year 2045) more realistic than the state's (year 2040).
The Economic struggles in Ludwigshafen's port sector might be exacerbated by the energy crisis, given the reliance on reliable energy supply and competitive prices for industrial companies. The high demand for lower taxes and levies on electricity, and better framework conditions for direct supply contracts, suggests companies in Ludwigshafen's port are seeking relief in energy prices.
