Former Chancellor and energy expert Christian Kern (SPÖ) sees an urgent need for action given the worsening energy crisis in the country. Especially when it comes to developing alternatives – especially in the case of sustainable energy – people in this country are still far too hesitant. Instead, they currently only put “bandages on an open back fracture,” Kern says.
A foreseeable easing in energy prices is still not in sight – not least with Russia’s announcement that it will take the all-important gas pipeline Nord Stream 1 off the grid for maintenance work should the price fireworks likely keep burning. The dramatic developments in the energy sector do not leave ex-chancellor Kern indifferent in an interview with ORF “ZiB-2” on Friday.
“Huge cutbacks in the industry”
At the moment we are not only dealing with a phenomenon that destroys all prosperity, “but also social cohesion”, Kern saw fire on the roof. In the wholesale sector, for example, electricity prices are 1000 percent higher than in the previous year; the result is inflation “like we haven’t seen in a long time” – Kern fears it will also lead to “massive austerity” in the industry.
Not responding to this development is “extremely negligent”, he welcomed the consideration of an electricity bill cap, but this is only a short-term measure. On the contrary, one has to “start thinking strategically again,” Kern warned.
Reducing electricity prices sustainably
As an alternative approach, he proposes to support gas-fired power stations, which determine electricity prices, with state-funded gas. When many critics argued that the neighboring countries would also benefit from a price reduction achieved in this way, he recalled the example of Germany – there the capacity for electricity exports was reduced only a few years ago. “You can do that,” Kern says.
However, sooner or later it will not be possible to switch to renewable energy sources. He criticizes that the energy companies are currently swimming in excess profits, but because of the legal framework in Germany they mainly invest abroad.
“Plaster on Spinal Fracture”
One must now slowly “lose patience”, “we are still far too hesitant”, he saw in the current situation not only an urgent need for action in the government, but also in the long term: “We put plasters on an open back fracture He called for a sustainable plan to break free from dependence on Russia.
“Putin is playing with us”, he was happy to see what he could provoke with actions such as the shortage of gas supplies, he warned to persevere in the crisis.
Source: Krone
I’m an experienced news author and editor based in New York City. I specialize in covering healthcare news stories for Today Times Live, helping to keep readers informed on the latest developments related to the industry. I have a deep understanding of medical topics, including emerging treatments and drugs, the changing laws that regulate healthcare providers, and other matters that affect public health.
