The East Commissioner of the German federal government, Elisabeth Kaiser (SPD), said that the situation at the PCK refinery in Schwedt is now secure.
During her visit on Tuesday, she explained that the government has placed the German Rosneft subsidiary – and thus its share of the refinery – under the custodial management of the Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur). This move guarantees the site as the main supplier of petroleum products in eastern Germany and protects the thousands of jobs it provides.
Kaiser stressed that the threat of the refinery being caught up in sanctions against Russia has been eliminated. With the new arrangement, crude supply, payment processing, and overall operation of the refinery are secured for the long term.
Yet Schwedt also exemplifies the challenges and opportunities involved in turning the area into a sustainable, future‑proof industrial hub, she added. She said her visit was intended to give her a comprehensive view of how the transformation process is gaining momentum on site.
A key focus for the refinery has become expanding climate‑neutral production. The federal government is supporting this effort, notably through a hydrogen project that aims to produce “green” kerosene in Schwedt; the government is funding the project with €245 million. This investment not only safeguards current jobs but also opens new industrial prospects for the region.
Kaiser affirmed that she will continue to closely monitor and support these developments in the future.
