- 14h ago
NRW government opposes BASF takeover bid for Evonik, RAG foundation stays silent
Economy minister Mona Neubaur told the state parliament on Wednesday, 14 October, that the NRW government is against the takeover. The RAG foundation, which holds about 44 percent of Evonik, has not yet set out its position.
- 18h ago
EU proposes one-year delay to methane rules for oil, gas and coal imports
The European Commission wants importers of oil, gas and coal to meet EU methane monitoring duties in early 2028 instead of from January 2027. Parliament and member states must now negotiate the proposal, which cites pressure on energy supply and prices.
- 19h ago
Germany plans national gas reserve funded by a levy from October 2027
The draft law sets a reserve of 24 terawatt-hours for crises such as sabotage, paid for by a levy that would first apply on 1 October 2027. Typical households would pay between 3.77 and 7.20 euros a year.
- 6d ago
Evonik rebuffs BASF takeover approach as RAG foundation holds the final word
Evonik has turned down BASF's approach, but the decision rests with the RAG foundation, which holds 44% of Evonik's shares. Trade union IG BCE has raised doubts about the foundation's resolve.
- Oct 7
Germany raises 2026 growth forecast to 1.3% on state spending and exports
Economy Minister Katherina Reiche lifted the 2026 economic growth forecast from 0.5% to 1.3%, citing infrastructure spending and export demand while warning of labour shortages.
- Oct 5
Daniel Günther warns Friedrich Merz against cuts to renewable energy subsidies
Schleswig-Holstein Minister-President Daniel Günther has urged Chancellor Friedrich Merz to revise draft energy laws that reduce solar tariffs and limit wind power curtailment compensation.
- Oct 5
Die Linke files constitutional petition against Economy Minister Katherina Reiche over official video
Die Linke has filed an emergency motion with Germany's Federal Constitutional Court seeking the removal of an official ministry video in which Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Katherina Reiche criticized the party following its 20 September Berlin election victory.
- Oct 4
Germany pledges 1.35 billion euros in aid to Ukraine as Merz visits Kyiv
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced 1 billion euros in military aid and 350 million euros for energy infrastructure during a train visit to Kyiv, alongside industrial defense pacts exceeding 6.6 billion euros.
- Oct 1
Norway readies winter gas exports to Europe as Gassco completes pipeline maintenance
Pipeline operator Gassco completed annual maintenance across Norway's 8,800-kilometre export network, confirming readiness for winter gas demand as European storage levels remain below average.
- Sep 30
Germany orders state energy firm SEFE to inject 8 TWh of gas into storage by mid-December
Economy Minister Katherina Reiche instructed state-owned SEFE to procure 8 terawatt-hours of natural gas by 15 December 2026, as German storage facilities lag at 57.6% capacity amid Middle East tensions.
- Sep 25
Germany approves 16.7-cent fuel tax cut for three months costing 2.5 billion euros
The Bundestag and Bundesrat passed legislation reducing energy taxes on petrol and diesel through December 2026, with the 2.5 billion euro cost shared equally by federal and state governments.
- Sep 13
Germany approves 2.5 billion euro package to cut fuel taxes by 17 cents
Federal and state officials agreed to reduce energy taxes on petrol and diesel from October through December 2026 while developing a statutory price cap for 2027.
- Aug 23
Merz to press German cabinet for faster economic reforms at Neuhardenberg retreat
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will urge ministers at a cabinet retreat in Schloss Neuhardenberg to accelerate pro-growth reforms, pension measures, and tax relief.
- Aug 3
Germany's economy minister proposes mixed funding model for strategic gas reserve after coalition pushback
Economy Minister Katherina Reiche is floating a hybrid model of consumer levies and budget funds for a planned 24 billion kWh state gas reserve, after her initial levy-only plan met resistance within the governing coalition.
- Jul 29
Germany's cabinet to approve energy reform: Reiche pushes grid synchronization and cost cuts
Economy Minister Katherina Reiche's plan to tie renewable expansion to grid capacity and slash redispatch costs goes to cabinet today, with the EU's state aid approval for the current system expiring at year's end.
- Jul 18
Germany's Reiche waters down renewable subsidy cuts: small solar gets transition payments, grid compensation softened
Economy Minister Katherina Reiche revised draft energy laws on Friday evening, introducing a three-year transition payment for small rooftop solar and scaling back planned compensation cuts for wind farms in grid-constrained areas.
- Jul 10
German parliament scraps 65% green heating mandate, allows new oil and gas boilers from 2029 with rising biofuel quota
The Bundestag voted 322 to 272 on Friday to pass the new Building Modernisation Act, removing the requirement that new heating systems use 65% renewable energy and once again permitting the installation of pure gas and oil boilers.
- Jul 7
Germany to build strategic gas reserve, consumers face new levy to cover €1.5 billion cost
The German government is set to approve a strategic gas reserve of 24 terawatt hours in mid-August, financed by a new levy on gas consumers. The reserve aims to protect against sabotage and import outages.
- Jun 16
US and Iran agree on framework to end war and reopen Strait of Hormuz, boosting markets
A framework agreement between the United States and Iran to end the months-long war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz sent oil prices down 5% and lifted global stock markets on Monday, though economists cautioned that the economic damage would take time to heal.
- May 30
Thousands form human wind turbine in Hamm to protest Germany's new gas power plant plans
Thousands of climate activists gathered in Hamm, Germany, on Saturday to protest the government's plans to build new gas-fired power plants, forming a human wind turbine that organizers claimed set a world record.
