Leipzig (dpa/sn) – Saxony wants to make steam with hydrogen with a view to the energy supply. “We are one of the few countries that actually have the opportunity to be pioneers in green hydrogen,” said Economics Minister Martin Dulig of the German Press Agency on Friday after a visit to the construction site of the new gas power plant in Leipzig. In Saxony, everything along the entire value chain is available for hydrogen. “There are companies for the infrastructure, research institutions like the one in Chemnitz, plant manufacturers like Linde, Sunfire and Siemens Energy and users – whether steelworks or the energy industry.”
According to Dulig, the gas power plant in Leipzig can also be converted to 100 percent hydrogen. “Russia’s terrible war in Ukraine made us realize that we have to become independent of raw material and energy supplies more quickly. There is a huge energy requirement in Germany and we will probably have to import green hydrogen and renewable energies in the future. But we need an independent system of energy supply. The question of a change in supply is no longer a question of “if” and “how”, but only of “how quickly”. The war acted as a catalyst.
The SPD politician also commented on the debate about the security of the energy supply. “I expect the federal government to keep an eye on all regions in Germany in all of its decisions.” The supply of raw materials and energy is affected differently. “It is important that a government in Berlin feels responsible and makes sure that no region is disadvantaged. As industrialized countries, the eastern German states need security. This is about fair conditions for everyone.”
Dulig is skeptical about Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer’s proposal to extend the service lives of nuclear power plants. A federal state that does not have any power plants itself should not make proposals at the expense of third parties. “Nuclear energy is the most expensive and most dangerous form of energy there is. That’s why I would refrain from giving advice. Nuclear energy is not an option for me.” Nevertheless, as an industrial country, the Federal Republic must ensure that the energy supply is also guaranteed in the coming years.
