Focus on Climate Protection and Competitiveness: Association Welcomes the New Government's Program

• Association welcomes strengthening competitiveness and opening up the solution space for climate protection.
• Hydrogen and carbon management are recognized as key elements of industrial and climate policy.
• Kehler: “Priority must now be given to the expansion of gas-fired power plants, the legalization of CCS and the development of strategic energy partnerships.”

The election of Friedrich Merz as Federal Chancellor and the start of the new German government also marks the beginning of a new chapter in energy policy. The German Gas and Hydrogen Industry Association sees the government program as a promising basis for a successful transformation of the energy system.

“Many of our key concerns are reflected in the coalition agreement,” explains Dr. Timm Kehler, CEO of Die Gas- und Wasserstoffwirtschaft. “It is particularly pleasing that the climate policy ambitions remain high, while at the same time Germany's competitiveness is to be strengthened. The deliberate opening up of the solution space - from CCS to biomass and hydrogen in all its forms of production to securing long-term import relationships - shows a pragmatic and at the same time ambitious approach.”

The planned expansion of 20 GW of gas-fired power plants by 2030, the development of long-term gas supply contracts and the comprehensive integration of hydrogen and carbon management into the energy system will provide important impetus. It is now important to implement the announced measures quickly - especially those that can be realized without additional budget funds, such as the green gas quota

The association also welcomes the appointment of Katherina Reiche as the new Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy. “Katherina Reiche has in-depth knowledge of the energy sector and valuable experience from the business world. Her appointment is a real gain for the new government and a strong signal for a practical, solution-oriented energy and climate policy,” said Kehler.

The association also welcomes the announced fundamental redesign of the Building Energy Act and the plan to establish CO₂ avoidance as a central control parameter. Furthermore, the gas and hydrogen industry sees the future recognition of CCS/CCU as an “overriding public interest” as a milestone for the realization of climate neutrality in industry and the energy system.

“The concepts are in place, now it is up to the new German government to quickly translate them into concrete measures,” concluded Kehler.