Gastkommentar: Die deutsche Industrie braucht einen Energieplan, keine Preisdebatte

Energy forms the foundation of economic growth, a fact that has been true in the past and remains relevant today. Historically, strong industrial locations in Germany and Europe sprang up where energy was both available and reliably accessible. Typically, this meant reliance on domestic coal, hydroelectric power, or proximity to production and infrastructure.

Today, the conversation around Germany's industrial competitiveness often centers on energy prices, which is understandable but incomplete. While price is undeniably crucial, determining whether to proceed with an investment, it falls short of addressing the full picture. Reducing the debate in Germany to a price discussion places us on an uneven playing field with other regions boasting advantageous natural resources or more favorable conditions for renewable energy.

The crucial question is: how can we in Germany construct an energy infrastructure that enables industrial success, even when energy is cheaper elsewhere? This, I believe, lies at the heart of the next economic renaissance – a strategic decision for the forthcoming decades.