15.09.2025 - "Energy transition monitoring reveals high uncertainties about future developments in technologies, electricity demand and hydrogen demand. The study assumes a significantly lower increase in electricity demand than previously thought. The future cannot be shaped by political planning alone. We must therefore focus more on market signals – an oversized expansion of renewable energies and grids, on the other hand, will cause unnecessary costs that will ultimately be borne primarily by companies.

It is correct that Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Katherina Reiche is relying more on cost efficiency, a system-friendly expansion of renewable energy as well as the potential of hydrogen and CCS. Maintaining the uniform German-Luxembourg electricity price zone is also important to keep electricity prices in Germany as low as possible."

The study highlights the need for action regarding security of electricity supply. Without a doubt, we need new gas-fired power plants. The federal government should, however, not rely on state micromanagement. High state payments to gas-fired power plants through a capacity market would lead to significant costs for the economy, which is already suffering from high electricity prices. It is more sensible for electricity suppliers to be obliged to secure their deliveries – in other words, to prove that they can deliver the promised electricity quantities at any time. The market then determines with which technologies supply security is ensured. This will spur innovation and limit costs for the economy.

After many months of stagnation in energy policy, energy transition monitoring must now mark the starting point for comprehensive reforms. Important directional decisions lie ahead. The study recently published by the DIHK "New ways for the energy transition” (only available in German) shows: The current course of the energy transition will cause costs of up to 5.4 trillion euros by 2050, resulting in a burden on companies and households that our economy cannot cope with. Smaller adjustments to the current energy transition policy will therefore not suffice. In order to achieve climate neutrality without losing growth and prosperity, we must rethink the energy transition: It must become more flexible, cost-efficient and international. From the DIHK's point of view, this includes comprehensive network planning, a more efficient energy mix and drastic reduction of bureaucracy."