Habeck's State Secretary Graichen Criticizes Federal Government's Energy Policy - Germany's climate policy under fire as ex-official urges Scandinavian-style reforms
Patrick Graichen, a former state secretary in Germany, has criticised the current government's energy policy for its continued reliance on oil and gas. He argues that economic interests, far-right influence, and resistance to change have derailed climate progress. His comments come after he was placed on temporary retirement in May 2023 due to a conflict of interest.
Graichen warns that ignoring the climate crisis will not make it go away. He predicts a future return to stronger climate protection policies, despite the current government's direction. His proposed solutions include tax reforms, such as scrapping the electricity tax and restructuring grid fees, to lower costs for electric cars and heat pumps.
Scandinavian countries, he notes, have already found the right balance. Over the past five years, their policies have made heat pumps and electric vehicles the norm. Sweden's heat pump installations rose by 50% thanks to subsidies of up to SEK 30,000 per unit. Norway now has 60% of households using heat pumps and 90% of new car sales being electric, supported by VAT exemptions and free charging. Denmark and Finland have also driven adoption through subsidies, tax breaks, and EU-aligned funding. Graichen's removal from his post in 2023 followed a dispute over the selection process for the German Energy Agency's supervisory board. Despite this, he remains vocal about the need for policy changes to match Scandinavian success.
Graichen's critique highlights a gap between Germany's current energy strategy and the approaches taken by Scandinavian nations. Their policiesâsubsidies, tax cuts, and infrastructure investmentsâhave made green technology widely accessible. Without similar reforms, he suggests, Germany risks falling behind in the transition to cleaner energy.
