“People are very willing to step back in this crisis”

WORLD: Mr. Kampfer, the first federal energy saving regulation will come into force next week. What does that mean in concrete terms for the citizens of a city like Kiel?

Ulf Kampfer: At the moment that means very little for our everyday life. There is no heating in summer and the days are still bright for a long time. Nevertheless, it is important to decide now to lower the heating temperatures in the offices or to switch off the shop window lights after 10 p.m., because there is considerable potential for savings, especially when it comes to heating, and we are very so are well advised to use them.

WORLD: Are you reducing your street lighting?

Fighter: Yes, that too will be put to the test. But that doesn't make the cabbage fat in the end. Our lighting does not use a lot of energy.

Heating, hot water, electrical appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, computers – these are the areas that really need a lot of energy, and if we save here, we can achieve the specified savings potential of 20 percent without weeping or gnashing our teeth.

WORLD: Is that enough?

Fighter: Nobody can say that at the moment. In any case, it cannot be ruled out that we will have to cut gas consumption by around 30 to 40 percent over the course of the winter. Then it becomes much more difficult. We would then certainly think about the complete closure, or at least about significant restrictions on the use of indoor swimming pools and public libraries, for example.

In such a case, one could also come to the conclusion that the city libraries have to be kept open and warm in a gas shortage situation - because there may be many people in the city who can no longer heat their homes sufficiently. And who are happy when there is a place where they can be without freezing.

WORLD: If in doubt, would you also cancel school lessons to save energy?

Fighter: I rule that out. If anything, then it is also about lowering the heating temperatures there, although we are definitely heading towards a conflict of objectives between corona prevention - ventilation - and energy saving - heating as little as possible. This will be a difficult process of deliberation.

WORLD: You recently said a pretty nasty sentence: "If the gas storage tanks are empty, we will have to take radical measures in winter or spring that we cannot even imagine today." What do you mean by that?

Kampfer: That we all have to be aware that the current scenario, in which we can get through the winter well, harbors many risks. On the one hand, we have to manage to save 20 percent of our gas requirements. On the other hand, deliveries must continue via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline at the current level. That depends solely on Putin.

And the LNG terminals must also be connected to the grid in good time. The LNG itself has to get there. And the winter must not be too severe. The nuclear power plants in France must also run again.

There are so many variables that we also have to deal with scenarios that could demand a lot more from us in terms of price development and security of supply than we imagine today.

"We see a considerable need for reform in the German electricity market," says Dr. Frank Umbach. "Due to the high gas prices, the electricity market has slipped from view," says the energy expert. He explains which measures are now necessary.

Source: WORLD / Alexander Siemon

WORLD: What does that mean for you as mayor?

Kampfer: It's now about not spreading panic on the one hand, but at the same time making it clear to people that in the end it might not be enough that the city of Kiel closes the sauna in the indoor pool for two days a week and we all turn off the lights make out when we leave the room. That we can come to a point this winter or next spring where we would be happy if we could take Winfried Kretschmann's washcloth - and that would be the end of it.

For example, it cannot be completely ruled out that the Federal Network Agency will shut down our state-of-the-art gas-fired power plant in Kiel when push comes to shove. It's not particularly likely, but it's not impossible either. We must therefore ensure that replacement infrastructures are operational at such a moment and that further energy-saving measures are prepared. And don't wait until it's too late to worry.

WORLD: A whole jumble of bad news, but also regulations and suggestions, is pouring down on people. That applies to saving energy, but it also applies to Corona - aren't you worried that the government regulations will soon become too much for people?

Kampfer: I tend to think that right now, people want a state that is capable of acting and that sets clear, understandable rules. And don't open a new barrel every day.

This is also one of the reasons why the German Association of Cities accepts the gas surcharge, but at the same time advocates that the amount cannot be changed from day to day at short notice. And of course it doesn't benefit companies that don't need it at all. My impression is that people are very willing to step back and limit themselves in this crisis.

The prerequisite, however, is that it is fair and that the measures taken by the federal, state and local authorities are stringent and plausible. One lesson from the Corona period is that the longer a crisis lasts, the less acceptance government measures will have if the rules are not consistent.

WORLD: That means for the current crisis?

Fighter: That means, for example, that announcements are also implemented. If, for example, the gas levy actually has to be paid in October, it shouldn't be the case that the corresponding relief is still being debated. Then they must be the law. That also means that the coal-fired power plants can now be started up again really quickly and the stress test for the nuclear power plants won't last for months.

WORLD: What is your assessment? Will nuclear power plants stay connected to the grid longer?

Kampfer: I am assuming that we will be able to operate at least a few months at least for individual nuclear power plants.

WORLD: What else do the federal and state governments have to do so that the municipalities can get through this crisis reasonably reasonably?

Fighter: We urgently need a protective shield for our public utilities. In this situation, they can only generously offer their customers installment payments if their own liquidity is secured. We can neither afford financial difficulties nor insolvencies. We still need clear, binding statements on the subject of saving energy. Polyphony doesn't help us at all.

Financial relief must come quickly for those who need it. And in this multiple crisis, we still need support in accommodating refugees. The majority of the municipalities here in Schleswig-Holstein are now at the edge of their capacities.

WORLD: What would help?

Kampfer: It would be important for the federal states to provide more places in initial admissions again. That would at least give the municipalities a larger time buffer to organize reasonable accommodation. At the moment, that is just four days in Schleswig-Holstein, and it is now simply taking significantly longer to find the necessary living space, but also the necessary staff for care. In addition, the federal government in the EU must continue to push for a fairer, Europe-wide distribution of refugees from Ukraine.

"Kick-off Politics" is WELT's daily news podcast. The most important topic analyzed by WELT editors and the dates of the day. Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, among others, or directly via RSS feed.