German SMEs demand immediate electricity tax cuts

German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche has stated that previous governments failed to plan renewable energy expansion in conjunction with grids, storage, and consumption. This lack of systemic planning has led to criticism regarding the current energy strategy.

The Federal Association of Cooperating SMEs (BKM) has strongly criticized the Minister, demanding immediate reductions in electricity taxes. BKM President Günter Althaus argued that the Minister's projection of significantly lower electricity prices only arriving in the 2030s is insufficient, noting that bakeries, retailers, and service providers must manage high energy costs immediately rather than in a decade.