Overview

• Economics Minister Katherina Reiche has proposed a ‘Südbonus’ directing two-thirds of the planned 20 GW gas power capacity to southern Germany
• Leag has been preparing since February to build a new gas power plant at its Schwarze Pumpe industrial park in Lausitz
• Around 1,500 Leag workers are set to attend a works meeting in Cottbus, where union leader Michael Vassiliadis is expected to join the discussion
• The new gas plants are designed to provide backup power during ‘Dunkelflauten’ when renewable energy sources like wind and solar underperform
• The federal initiative relies on state funding and awaits approval from the EU Commission before construction can proceed