The CDU parliamentary group wants to make medium-sized companies in the southwest more energy-efficient with an investment program worth 100 million euros and set incentives for investments.
A funding budget of 100 million euros each in 2023 and 2024 is being considered, “which would trigger a multiple of the total investment,” said the parliamentary group. Medium-sized companies should thus receive effective incentives for energy-saving investments, it said.
So far, this has been a demand from the CDU parliamentary group, which has not yet been agreed with the Green coalition partner. That still has to be negotiated, said a spokesman.
“Today, energy efficiency and low energy costs are particularly important location factors,” said parliamentary group leader Manuel Hagel.
“We want to support our medium-sized companies on their way to avoiding high energy costs and to more climate protection,” said the economic policy spokesman for the parliamentary group, Winfried Mack. “Due to the high energy and raw material prices, there is a risk that investments will be postponed.”
The CDU parliamentary group has asked the CDU-led Ministry of Economic Affairs to work out key points. Accordingly, the ministry is planning a uniform subsidy rate of ten percent. Only companies with a maximum of 3,000 employees are to be funded, the subsidy per company and project is to be capped at 250,000 euros.
Coalition partner “amazed”
The Greens group reacted with irritation to the proposal: “It was only in December that the state parliament decided on the double budget for the next two years. In view of the narrow financial leeway, not all wishes could be taken into account during the negotiations. Including another investment program,” said a spokesman on Sunday.
“We are very amazed that a few months later our coalition partner renewed his desire for a blanket investment program without showing any coherent financing.”
The Greens also want to ensure that Baden-Württemberg remains a strong business location, it said. “We are committed to targeted, effective and sustainable investments in our medium-sized companies. We also stand for a solid and sustainable financial policy,” said the spokesman.
However, none of this applies to the proposal of the CDU parliamentary group. “Neither is it clear under which criteria the money is to be used, nor from which pot it is to be financed. It just doesn’t fit the time to hand out money without a needs test.”
Economy applauds
The reactions from business to the CDU initiative sounded very different. “The planned special investment support program sends the right signal,” said Christian Erbe, President of the Baden-Württemberg Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BWIHK) on Sunday. Energy efficiency has become even more important for the south-west economy due to the high energy prices. However, the investments required for this are obviously more difficult to manage, especially in medium-sized companies.
Peer-Michael Dick, General Manager of the umbrella organization for entrepreneurs in Baden-Württemberg (UBW), also welcomed the support program. “Our companies stand by the climate goals of the state and federal government and are also willing to make their contribution,” said Dick on Sunday in Stuttgart.
Businesses need support
However, this contribution should not fail because the companies lack the necessary money for appropriate investments. “The proposed program starts at exactly the right point.”
According to Dick, investments that serve to reduce the use of energy could do a lot to make an effective contribution to climate protection and at the same time increase the competitiveness of companies again.
However, many companies are unable to make these investments on their own due to the increased costs and tight earnings situation: “A targeted special investment program for energy efficiency could provide important support here.”
