Ahead of the steel summit in Berlin, NRW Minister-President Hendrik Wüst demands clear reliefs for industry, especially on energy prices. He stresses the need for a low-bureaucracy industrial electricity price and longer allocation of free CO2 certificates. Federal Economics Minister Katherina Reiche expects the industrial electricity price to be introduced on January 1, 2026.
The steel summit in Berlin is approaching, and NRW Minister-President Hendrik Wüst (CDU) is using the opportunity to advocate for comprehensive reliefs for German industry. In an interview with the «Rheinische Post», Wüst stated: «The first step for more competitiveness of industry is relief on energy prices.» He calls for the quick introduction of a state-subsidized industrial electricity price that must be organized with little bureaucracy. Additionally, the European aid framework should be fully exploited.
Federal Economics Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU) shares this view. In Berlin, she said: «That we will introduce the industrial electricity price on 1.1.2026.» This measure is intended to relieve energy-intensive companies. Negotiations with the EU Commission are in the final stages; Brussels gave general green light for such a price in June, as it involves state aid.
Wüst also urges reliefs in certificate trading. «The German industry has been extremely innovative and successful in climate protection in recent years. This path must be continued. For that, it is necessary to allocate free CO2 certificates longer than previously planned,» Wüst said. This would give industry more room for investments in climate-friendly innovations. «Better that the money flows into modern technologies than into state levies,» he emphasized.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) has invited representatives of the steel industry and minister-presidents from North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, Brandenburg, and Saarland for Thursday. Vice-Chancellor and Finance Minister Klingbeil, Economics Minister Reiche, and Labor Minister Bärbel Bas (SPD) will also attend the meeting. Topics include trade relations and energy prices.