German Finance Minister Christian Lindner considers it necessary to stop the use of gas for electricity generation due to the reduction of its supplies from Russia
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According to the minister, Germany should “work to ensure that the gas crisis is not followed by an energy crisis.”
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“That’s why gas can no longer be used to generate electricity, as it is happening now,” – said the head of the Ministry of Finance.
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He believes that the Vice-Chancellor, Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection of Germany Robert Habek has enough authority for such a step.
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“Instead, we need to get other capacities,” Lindner said, recalling the possibility of extending the life of nuclear power plants in Germany. “We can talk a lot about not closing safe and climate-friendly nuclear power plants, but using them if necessary until 2024,” the minister continued.
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He said that he is trying to set an example for the population of prudent use of electricity, including by switching to an economical mode of operation of air conditioners in his office.
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“No tax increase, because it will aggravate the economic crisis. There is as much as €10 billion in the budget for unfinished projects and unforeseen expenses,” the head of the Ministry of Finance said, speaking about the advisability of additional budgetary spending to counteract the crisis.
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In a number of ministries of the German government, they decided to cool air-conditioned rooms only to 26 degrees Celsius in summer, except for rooms with servers. The Ministry of Economy and Climate Protection expects thus to reduce electricity consumption by 40% already this summer.
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Energy prices have been rising in Germany since the end of 2021. The dynamics accelerated after the start of the Russian special military operation in Ukraine.
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According to the Federal Statistical Office of Germany, in June the cost of energy carriers increased by 38%.
