Status update for the boss: Robert Habeck, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, was out and about promoting the energy transition in the new federal states today ā and checked how the conversion to renewable energies is progressing. During the trip, Habeck was at BASF and Leag, among others ā both companies are already in the middle of restructuring.
Minister #Habeck at @BASF in Schwarzheide. Where fuel was obtained from lignite, the production of battery components for 400,000 electric vehicles per year is starting today. Jobs are created, Lausitz can successfully transform! Next step here: #Batterierecycling. pic.twitter.com/GX0jlCXPO6
ā Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (@BMWK) June 29, 2023
Greentech BASF batteries cathode material Schwarzheide Greentech BASF batteries energy storage Schwarzheide
Energy transition for coal region
Greentech LEAG Energiewende
At the energy company Leag, he symbolically laid a piece of hydrogen pipeline for the new, innovative storage power plant at the JƤnschwalde power plant site. The Federal Minister of Economics sees progress on one of his favorite topics: green energies as a location advantage ā and that in the coal region of Lusatia. In addition to discussions and exchanges, there were also protests.
The plant in Schwarzheide is the second largest factory of its kind in Europe. The Lusatian production site for battery materials is part of a multi-stage investment plan to develop the European value chain for electric vehicles.
Habeck: The Lausitz location is very important
At the inauguration, Habeck emphasized the importance of the location in Lusatia. A certain proportion of the production has to be made domestic in Europe, he said.
It is about economic security policy, independence and robustness. āIndependence is created here in Schwarzheide, for Europe,ā said the Green politician at the start. The BASF project increases Germanyās sovereignty along the value chain.
Greentech BASF
In the factory, for which BASF has invested several hundred million euros at the site, materials for the cathode side of lithium-ion batteries for around 400,000 electric cars can be produced annually in the future. Mass production is scheduled to start in 2025. In addition to Habeck, BASF CEO Martin BrudermĆ¼ller, Vice President of the EU Commission Maros Å efÄoviÄ and Brandenburgās Minister President Dietmar Woidke (SPD) were present at the opening. Å efÄoviÄ emphasized how important it is to have a competitive and sustainable value chain for the production of battery cells to create in Europe.
Increasing demand for cleantech and battery technology
The EU battery market is growing very fast. There will be a drastically increasing demand for batteries ā both for mobility and for storage. And competitors are pushing onto the market, he explained. The Federal Ministry of Economics and the State of Brandenburg are funding the system with a total of around 175 million euros. Around 150 new jobs were created. The inauguration was also the start of a battery recycling plant from BASF. From 2024, disused battery cells will be prepared there for raw material recovery. The group wants to close the cycle in the European battery value chain. Habeck was with Leag for the second time within a few months. The atmosphere at the JƤnschwalde power plant site was good and constructive. The Green Party politician conceded that the debate about an early exit from coal had been quite controversial in recent months. But he can see how far the plans at Leag to switch to renewable energies and future innovative storage power plants have progressed. āThatās what we need now.ā On this occasion, Habeck explained that he saw a significant difference between the Rhenish mining area with a desired coal phase-out in 2030 and Lusatia, where something was only being developed and built up. āAnd then weāll see what impact that has on the prospects for lignite-fired power generation.ā
Greentech Lausitz
He assured Leag of his āfull political supportā for the conversion of its lignite-fired power plant in JƤnschwalde into an innovative storage power plant. This means, among other things, the assignment in Brussels to the EU Commission for the modification of subsidies or the acceleration of planning. Leag board member Thorsten Kramer emphasized that he felt supported by the Federal Ministry.
Hydrogen capable gas power plants
The largest East German electricity producer is driving forward plans for the construction of hydrogen-capable gas-fired power plants and pure hydrogen power plants at its energy sites. Leag plans to start operating the innovation power plant in JƤnschwalde in the first quarter of 2029. In the first step, hydrogen would be supplied as an admixture to natural gas.
UPDATE 8:47 p.m. with video
š¤Minister Robert #Habeck speaks at the @BASF on climate protection and change. Of the fact that both mean impertinence, but also opportunities. About the great green transformation and how it becomes very concrete on site in Lusatia ā and succeeds. š pic.twitter.com/jrcnzdjGAk
ā Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (@BMWK) June 29, 2023
Batteries for 400,000 electric cars: Competitive and sustainable value chain
In the factory, for which BASF has invested several hundred million euros at the site, materials for the cathode side of lithium-ion batteries for around 400,000 electric cars can be produced annually in the future. Mass production is scheduled to start in 2025. In addition to Habeck, BASF CEO Martin BrudermĆ¼ller, Vice President of the EU Commission Maros Å efÄoviÄ and Brandenburg Prime Minister Dietmar Woidke (SPD) attended the opening.
Å efÄoviÄ emphasized the importance of creating a competitive and sustainable value chain for battery cell manufacturing in Europe. The EU battery market is growing very fast. There will be a drastically increasing demand for batteries ā both for mobility and for storage. And competitors are entering the market, he pointed out.