Woidke calls for a plan for the power supply of the future
Brandenburg's Minister President Dietmar Woidke (SPD) has called on the federal government to quickly present a concept for the electricity supply of the future. He also believes that an early coal phase-out in eastern Germany by 2030 is not feasible.
"The federal government must finally present a plan for the electricity supply of the future," Woidke told the Handelsblatt newspaper (Sunday). "It is unacceptable that we are talking about climate neutrality, but at the same time, as in my home region, we now have to restart two units of the Jänschwalde coal-fired power plant that were shut down in 2017 in order to secure the power supply."
A realistic energy concept is immensely important, said the head of government. "If the Federal Minister of Economics doesn't deliver it, then a commission should be happy to draw it up, as proposed by my colleague Michael Kretschmer from Saxony."
Woidke went on to tell the newspaper that he had never considered a coal phase-out by 2030 to be realistic. "But this discussion must also be part of the larger debate: Where will the electricity come from in the next ten years? How high can the price be? We must finally answer these questions - and quickly."
Woidke criticized the Greens in the migration debate and with regard to the decisions made at the federal-state meeting. "Always saying what can't be done doesn't get us anywhere. The Greens should get their act together now." There was no turning back on the path to more order in migration policy.
At their meeting last week, the state premiers and Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) agreed on a change to the system for financing refugee costs, and benefits for asylum seekers are also to be reduced. The federal government also agreed on stricter deportation rules. Green Party leader Ricarda Lang recently criticized a "competition to outdo each other" when it comes to making demands in the migration debate.
"Given the urgent need for a climate-neutral energy future, the federal government should prioritize presenting a comprehensive plan for electricity supply, as suggested by Woidke."
"In the context of migration policy, Woidke urged the Greens to contribute constructively, acknowledging that saying what isn't feasible alone isn't sufficient to drive progress in this critical area."
Source: www.dpa.com
