Saxony-Anhalt: Energy costs: State plans 30 million euros more

The state pays for the heating costs at universities and many authorities.

Saxony-Anhalt: Energy costs: State plans 30 million euros more

The state pays for the heating costs at universities and many authorities. Significantly higher expenses are planned for next year in Saxony-Anhalt. Could the Christmas break at the universities be longer to save energy?

Magdeburg (dpa/sa) - The state of Saxony-Anhalt is preparing for significant additional spending on energy next year due to rising prices. In the state budget for 2023, around an additional 30 million euros will be planned for the supply of state institutions, said Finance Minister Michael Richter (CDU) of the German Press Agency. In the 2022 budget, a total of 73 million euros has been budgeted for fuel, electricity and heating. A premium of 30 million euros would correspond to an increase of around 41 percent.

Richter currently does not believe in planning an even larger buffer as a precaution. "We're in a difficult time. We don't all know what's coming in the fall. We can't take any imponderables into the budget now. Then we have to react flexibly."

There are currently no savings considerations in Saxony-Anhalt like in Lower Saxony, for example extending the Christmas break at the universities. Whether it makes sense to extend the closing time at Christmas will be decided in due course, said Energy and Science Minister Armin Willingmann (SPD). "In view of the fact that teaching has been significantly reduced in the last four semesters due to the corona virus and its negative consequences, we should only use this instrument after intensive discussion with the universities."

Overall, Willingmann promotes prudence and advises against public speculation with a view to the supply situation. "In the past few weeks, panicked proposals and scenarios have driven up gas prices in particular - to the detriment of all of us," he said. It is now important to take all necessary steps to secure the energy supply and to save energy wherever possible. "This requires rational political planning and the contribution of everyone in their environment."