Schwerin/Rostock (dpa/mv) – The SPD parliamentary group began its winter retreat in Rostock on Tuesday. During the consultations, which are usually held outside the state parliament, fundamental questions are traditionally discussed and priorities for parliamentary work in the new year are determined. As a parliamentary group spokeswoman said, securing the energy supply and the situation on the housing market in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania are among the most important topics of discussion. Experts from these areas were therefore also invited to the three-day consultations.
The “municipal heat transition” was discussed with representatives of Stadtwerke Rostock, the Neubrandenburg housing association Neuwoba and the state energy and climate protection agency. Instead of fossil fuels such as coal, gas and oil, more green electricity and geothermal energy are to be used in the future for the operation of urban district heating networks. Pilot projects are already running. It is also about the use of hydrogen as an energy source, from which the state government expects strong impetus for the state’s economic development. The port and industrial city of Rostock should play a major role in this.
According to the parliamentary group, around 200 guests were expected at the traditional local political evening at the end of the first day of the retreat. Instead of the sick Prime Minister Manuela Schwesig, Health Minister Stefanie Drese (both SPD) should speak.