Overview
- Nina Scheer, the SPD’s energy lead, rebuked Economics Minister Katherina Reiche for leaving out that roughly one‑third of a German power bill is network charges, which the coalition is exploring how to fund outside customers’ bills.
- She added that about €6.5 billion in subsidies for network fees and electricity‑tax exemptions for industry were approved last year, arguing these steps undercut Reiche’s claim that relief is missing.
- Scheer said Reiche has not presented promised drafts for an industrial electricity price or for measures to use grids more efficiently, speed smart‑meter rollout, and let households that generate power act as market participants; a power‑plant strategy bill is also still absent.
- Warning of investment risks, Scheer opposed Reiche’s idea to pay for green power only when the grid can accept it and a proposed redispatch reservation; redispatch is when grid operators curtail generation to ease bottlenecks, which typically requires compensation to keep projects viable.
- Reiche argues that system costs from grid expansion, reserve capacity, and operator interventions are pushing prices and calls for reliable plants, storage, and continued gas, but SPD figures say that approach weakens climate targets and could deter renewable build‑out and industry confidence.