Electricity prices are increasing: Lower Saxony's Environment Minister warns of the election break!

Electricity prices are increasing: Lower Saxony's Environment Minister warns of the election break!

Niedersachsen, Deutschland - A hot iron is currently being discussed in politics: electricity tax. While consumers and small businesses hope for relief, the federal government has initially put their plans to reduce electricity tax on hold. At least that's what the criticism of the Environment Minister from Lower Saxony, Christian Meyer from the Greens, who denounced the breaking of election promises in a statement. He explained that the intended reduction in electricity tax of around 2 cents per kilowatt hour should only apply to industry as well as agriculture and forestry and not for the end consumer. This decision is surprising for many, because according to Meyer, relief for private households and small craft businesses would have been "simple and unbureaucratic".

The originally planned reduction would have made it possible for an average budget to save just under 100 euros per year. This could have been delighted by the burdened consumers in Lower Saxony. The Lower Saxony-Bremen trade association also expressed displeasure with the waiver of this relief. Meyer sees the taxation of renewable energies as a hindrance to progress in electric cars and heat pumps, which raises the question of whether Germany is really on the right track when it comes to expanding clean energies.

Current developments and alternative measures

While criticism is loud in Lower Saxony, the future government coalition of the Union and SPD is planning measures to reduce electricity prices. It is planned to reduce electricity tax on the EU minute tax rate of 0.1 cents per kilowatt hour. This could possibly expect private households to save around five cents per kilowatt hour, which would mean a model household with a consumption of 3,500 kWh annual savings of around 175 euros. In this prospect, the question arises whether the citizens can actually expect noticeable relief at the next year if the new network costs for 2026 should be set.

In addition, the discussion at EU level emphasizes how strongly electricity prices in Germany vary in European comparison. The Federal Consumer Center has repeatedly pointed out the high prices that are a clear disadvantage for German citizens. This situation was not exactly improved by the failure of reducing electricity tax. The trade association Germany sees the waiver of a general reduction as a clear turning point and demands a general relief for everyone.

claims and outlook

The debate reflects the dissatisfaction of many companies. The President of the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry reported a large number of outraged calls from entrepreneurs who urge to relieve them. The Central Association of German Handicrafts is also strong for energy -intensive craft businesses. In order to counteract this injustice, the CDU general secretary Linnemann called for a lowering of electricity tax for all citizens.

While the federal government has promised to relieve citizens and the economy of high electricity prices, the public remains skeptical. Critics in politics, including the Greens, refer to the decision as a break and demand improvements in the Bundestag. NDR reports that Meyer continues to be hoping for a correction of the situation, considering the government that the government would have had. The debate will continue to be continued in the near future.