In order to save energy, Berlin switches off the radiators in a total of 200 known buildings. As of Wednesday, six buildings and landmarks should no longer be illuminated, according to the Senate for the Environment. These include the cathedral and the Marienkirche.
The lighting of all 200 buildings and the 1400 spotlights connected to them are to be switched off in three to four weeks. The employees of an electrical company should therefore put around 100 to 120 radiators out of operation every day, but not dismantle them. The Victory Column, the State Opera, the Red Town Hall and Charlottenburg Palace, among others, will no longer be illuminated.
However, the state is not initially saving any money: According to the Senate administration, the costs for the one-off shutdown are similar to the annual electricity costs of 40,000 euros. In the short term, therefore, “the significant energy saving effect is decisive for the measure, not pure economic efficiency”. The annual electricity consumption is therefore around 200,000 kilowatt hours per year.
“In view of the war against Ukraine and Russia’s energy policy threats, it is important that we use our energy as carefully as possible,” said Environment Senator Bettina Jarasch (Greens). This also and especially applies to the public sector. In this situation, switching off the radiators is “justifiable, also to make a visible contribution”.