The Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce has warned against production stops at companies as a result of the energy crisis.

DIHK President Peter Adrian told the German Press Agency: “Calls for help reach us daily from companies across the industry who will no longer receive an energy supply contract for the coming year. If no solution is found here, parts of our economy will stand still at the turn of the year.” Adrian called on the federal government to take action.

According to Adrian, many energy suppliers could no longer pay the security deposits that they had to deposit in their futures transactions to hedge against energy price fluctuations. "These security deposits have reached such astronomical heights, analogous to the stock exchange prices, that municipal utilities and other suppliers can no longer offer their customers electricity and gas supplies. We therefore need a state guarantee framework as quickly as possible, as was the case during the financial crisis." The proposed gas price brake does not solve this problem. "Because the government subsidy reduces the price for the end customer, not for the supplier."

difference to private households

Unlike private households and very small companies, larger and medium-sized companies are not entitled to be replaced by default suppliers. "These companies are therefore completely without energy without a contract offer and would have to stop operations."

Referring to the federal government, Adrian said: "We therefore urgently need a replacement supply for companies as well as a guarantee of liquidity for the suppliers. Otherwise there will be restrictions in important economic sectors - including those that are essential for the health and social infrastructure of our country."

The federal government is planning a "defense shield" of up to 200 billion euros to support consumers and companies because of the high energy prices. It is planned to use this to finance extended state aid for companies.