Vattenfall’s New Germany CEO Warns of Potential Backlash if Heizungsgesetz is Scraped
Robert Zurawski, the new CEO of Vattenfall’s German division, has expressed concerns that the building energy act, also known as the Heizungsgesetz, may be repealed in the upcoming legislative period. “The original idea is good, but: if you adjust, you need to take the people along” he told the Funke-Mediengruppe in an interview.
Zurawski, who expects a new federal government to prioritize a clear energy policy and invest in fossil-free generation, emphasized the need for reliability, flexibility, and a consistent course in energy policy. “Offshore energy production, in particular, requires better framework conditions” he said.
The CEO also suggested conducting a cost check for the energy transition, as long as it does not hinder the transition’s speed. Furthermore, he called for greater public involvement in the debate over the priority of overhead cables versus underground cables.
Zurawski also advocated for the construction of more pump storage power plants, citing the potential for further development in Germany. “There is still untapped potential in Germany” he said. He described pump storage power plants as the largest available batteries, noting that their role has evolved from supporting coal-fired power plants at night to now serving as a storage facility for renewable energy and a guarantor of grid stability.