Germany: Throttling Wind Power Industry Completely Wrong Signal for Investors

Industrial Union of Metalworkers from Küste district, IG Metall Küste has urged the North German federal states to push the coalition negotiations between CDU/CSU (Christian Democrats) and the SPD Social Democrats toward further expansion of offshore wind power.

“The announced reduction is a completely wrong signal to the Küste district. Instead, we need clear statements regarding the future funding of the wind power industry at sea as quickly as possible. Only then can the future Federal Government ensure reliability in new investments, and thus secure creation of new jobs in Northern Germany,” said Meinhard Geiken, head of IG Metall Küste.

The Union is demanding that in the first quarter of 2014 measures to secure the investments in offshore wind power be in place. “If the revision of the Renewable Energy Act (EEG) is not completed by then, transitional arrangements must be created so that the necessary investments don’t fail,” said Mr. Geiken.

Geiken recalled the appeal of Cuxhaven, in which the Minister of Economy of the North German federal states, together with industry representatives and IG Metall Küste, had voted in August for strengthening the wind power industry.

“Now we want to see the Prime Minister and Ministers in action: You must fight more for the wind power industry, and thus for the total energy transition in the next coalition negotiations. It is an industry of the future, on which tens of thousands of jobs in Northern Germany depend.” 

[mappress]

Press release, November 13, 2013; Image: bard-offshore