Saarland state parliament urges funding decisions for green steel
The Saarland state parliament is calling for a swift commitment to support the conversion of the steel industry to the production of climate-friendly "green" steel. "If we tackle the green transformation here in Saarland, we must not be left alone by the government," reads a resolution tabled by the opposition CDU and adopted unanimously. "This delay jeopardizes successful transformation, thousands of jobs and the entire Saarland steel industry."
At the end of 2022, Saarstahl and Dillinger announced their intention to switch steel production in Saarland from coal and coke to hydrogen at an investment cost of 3.5 billion euros. However, this would not be possible without EU-approved public funding from the federal and state governments amounting to around 60 percent of the investment costs. The majority of this is to come from the federal government. In recent weeks, the steel manufacturers and the IG Metall trade union have repeatedly called for a swift funding decision in order to be able to make the necessary investments.
"The funding decision must come. But it must also come in the required amount," said CDU parliamentary group leader Stephan Toscani. Minister of Economic Affairs Jürgen Barke (SPD) referred to the 14,000 jobs in the Saarland steel industry: "That's why we must do everything we can to ensure that the green transformation in the steel industry succeeds. Because the alternative to this is no steel industry in Saarland." All the data, facts and figures are on the table, and it is possible that the funding talks will be concluded this month: "And then the Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, Robert Habeck, can follow up with action."
The Saarland state Parliament's call for funding supports the Parliament's stance on the importance of green steel production in the steel industry. Without sufficient EU-approved public funding from both federal and state governments, the ambitious steel production shift to hydrogen, as proposed by Saarstahl and Dillinger, could be at risk.
Source: www.dpa.com
