Berlin and Brandenburg strengthen joint energy policy

Brandenburg's Energy Minister Jörg Steinbach and Berlin's Energy Senator Franziska Giffey sign a "Letter of Intent" on cooperation in the energy sector.

On Friday, Berlin and Brandenburg signed a declaration of intent to revise the state treaty on energy supervision and the state mining authority.

The states of Berlin and Brandenburg are continuing and intensifying their cooperation in the energy sector. Energy Senator Franziska Giffey and Energy Minister Jörg Steinbach signed a "Letter of Intent" (LOI) after the joint cabinet meeting in Potsdam to prepare the new version of the state treaty on energy supervision and the state mining authority. This was announced by the Berlin Senate Chancellery on Friday. According to the agreement, efforts to establish a regional hydrogen economy will also be intensified.

Increased cooperation in the revision of the state treaty

The new version of the State Treaty focusses on the expansion of cooperation with regard to the State Office for Mining, Geology and Raw Materials (LBGR) in Brandenburg. The LBGR has been performing tasks for the state of Berlin since 1997. In order to meet the challenges of the energy transition, such as the development of a hydrogen infrastructure or the use of geothermal energy for heat generation, numerous new projects need to be examined and approved, according to the press release.

Berlin raises financial support

To make this possible, Berlin is planning to significantly increase its funding to the LBGR. Energy Senator Franziska Giffey emphasises: "Berlin therefore wants to increase its annual contribution to up to 1.5 million euros in order to finance the necessary additional staff, among other things." The increased financial support is also intended to speed up planning and approval processes. These intentions were set out in the letter of intent. The state treaty negotiations are to be finalised by the end of the year.

Utilising the opportunities of the energy transition

In the view of both state governments, the energy transition offers the opportunity to actively drive and accelerate structural change in the Berlin-Brandenburg capital region and contribute to the creation of knowledge, jobs and value chains. Hydrogen from renewable energies therefore plays a decisive role in the decarbonisation of industry. Berlin and Brandenburg want to work together to connect to the hydrogen transport infrastructure (backbone) and develop hydrogen networks. Particular attention will be paid to creating framework conditions for predictability and security of supply.