Munich (dpa / lby) – According to the Association of Bavarian Business (vbw), the explosion in energy costs is increasingly becoming an existential problem for companies. The vbw energy price index, which is weighted according to the consumption of individual types of energy in Bavaria, has doubled compared to the previous year and rose further to a record high in the second quarter. According to the association, relaxation is not in sight.

“The throttling of Russian gas deliveries is exacerbating the tense supply situation and price development,” said CEO Bertram Brossardt in Munich on Wednesday. In order to ensure a stable energy supply, the remaining nuclear power plants should continue to run until the end of 2024 and other sources of natural gas should be developed in the short term. The federal government must reduce electricity and energy taxes and suspend national emissions trading.