Panel discussion of the consumer protection working group on the energy transition
Members of the Waldeck-Frankenberg district's consumer protection working group recently met for a panel discussion at the headquarters of Energie Waldeck-Frankenberg in Korbach. At the centre of the discussion: What will the energy market of the future look like?
"Energy and its transformation affects all of us. We see many question marks among our consumers in the district, but we have the advantage of providing the answers ourselves and finding solutions with strong partners," moderator District Administrator Jürgen van der Horst introduced the lively discussion.
Energy market of the future
EWF Managing Director Frank Benz kicked things off by emphasising how much EWF is changing from a local supplier to a provider of energy to customers. "We are broadly positioned, from traditional supply services and our involvement in wind farm projects of our subsidiary VEW to investments and large-scale storage or energy solutions from a single source," he said, emphasising the future energy market. He added that investments in a "network of the future" and its infrastructure, the search for decentralised solutions with partners in order to continue to meet the changes in the markets. As the Zweckverband Energie Waldeck-Frankenberg, the topic of municipal heat planning for local authorities in the district is also being addressed in close cooperation with the towns and municipalities and information is provided to citizens at www.kompass-kwp.de.
Mutual support
Professor Dr Markus Pfuhl, Chairman of the association "Klimaneutrales Waldeck-Frankenberg e.V.", focussed on the foundation and task of the association in his statement: The association is the basis for finding important joint and quick ways to achieve sustainable projects. After all, bringing consumer protection together with climate change, "one requires the other". In the association, he is proud to be able to bring together the various organisations, industry, banks and agriculture with the district and local authorities. "This means that many doors are open and we can support each other," he said, emphasising the joint work on climate protection strategies. So far, the only regional energy agency in Hesse has been founded right here in the district to support consumer enquiries.
Consumer uncertainty
Guido Kalbe, Guild Master of the Sanitary, Heating and Air Conditioning Guild of the District Craftsmen's Association, believes that the trades are well positioned to jointly implement the energy and heating transition. From a consumer perspective, however, he and his colleagues felt the uncertainties caused by politics, particularly with regard to legal requirements or subsidies for heat pumps, for example. Consumers have a great need for advice, which in turn must take into account the entire house and its trades in addition to the heating system.
At the end of a lively exchange, District Administrator van der Horst was confident about the joint work in the networks. What they all have in common, he said, is that they are committed to tackling and supporting the issues of climate neutrality together. Dorothea Loth from the district's agricultural department can provide details and answer any questions about the working group by e-mail or by phone on 05631-954 1840.
Caption: Answering questions from the consumer protection working group under the moderation of District Administrator Jürgen van der Horst: Prof. Dr Markus Pfuhl (5th from left), Guido Kalbe (6th from left) and Frank Benz (9th from left). (Photo: Energie Waldeck-Frankenberg)