Dresden (dpa/sn) - The Saxon cabinet has approved a new EU program for the lignite regions and thus cleared the way for 645 million euros. Specifically, it is about the Just Transition Fund (JTF) program, the Ministry of Economic Affairs announced on Tuesday after the cabinet meeting. Funding of 375 million euros is to be used in the Lausitz mining area by 2027, 200 million in the Central German mining area and 70 million in Chemnitz. The EU funding is supplemented by private and state funds, so that the total amount is up to 1.3 billion euros.
"We want to develop the regions undergoing structural change into efficient and innovative economic regions in which skilled workers can find modern and well-paid jobs and where people live well and happily," emphasized Economics Minister Martin Dulig. In order for the mining areas to remain energy regions even after the coal phase-out, it is important to develop and bring to market climate-friendly technologies for energy supply and storage. With the JTF one can support research, development, investments and business ideas.
With the JTF, the EU supports areas that have to overcome major challenges due to the transition to a climate-neutral economy. According to the specifications of the EU Commission, lignite areas in Germany should be eligible for subsidies, which are also taken into account within the framework of the national coal compromise. In Saxony, this affects the districts of Bautzen and Görlitz in the Lusatian mining district, as well as the districts of Leipzig and northern Saxony and the city of Leipzig in the Central German district. Saxony decided to also include Chemnitz. The Commission still has to approve it.
