The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs announced that industrial companies may claim both the industrial electricity price subsidy and the electricity price compensation for a single process step in 2026. The exception was approved by the European Commission.
Minister Katherina Reiche stated that her ministry had persuaded the Brussels authority of the need for the exception. EU state aid rules normally prohibit double funding. The federal budget alone will be burdened with more than 30 billion euros by the subsidies in 2026. Many energy-intensive companies welcome the rule as they face international competition. Federal Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil is expected to cover the resulting additional costs. The measure masks structural problems in industry according to the ministry.
