Ahead of Wednesday’s upcoming meeting of the coalition committee, Dirk Wiese, the First Parliamentary Secretary of the SPD parliamentary group in the Bundestag, highlighted planned relief measures for consumers. He expressed openness to a reduction in the electricity tax for private households, contingent on sound financial planning.
Speaking to the “Rheinische Post” Wiese stated that “the reduction of the electricity tax for the manufacturing sector has been agreed upon and remains correct. It helps the economy regain momentum and secures jobs”. He further added that “consumers will also be relieved through the reduction of the gas levy and grid fees”. The SPD politician indicated that “if further opportunities arise, the SPD would of course be ready to take further steps regarding the reduction of the electricity tax, but it must be financially sound.
The coalition agreement outlines a commitment to permanently relieve businesses and consumers in Germany by at least five cents per kilowatt-hour through a package of measures. Initial steps include lowering the electricity tax to the European minimum for all consumers, alongside reductions in levies and grid fees. The coalition also aims to permanently cap grid fees to provide planning security. However, the federal budget for 2026, recently approved by the cabinet, currently restricts the electricity tax reduction to agriculture and forestry, as well as industry.
