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Federal government supports Schwedt: Future of the PCK refinery in focus!
The federal government continues to support the PCK refinery in Schwedt. Synthetic fuels and new investors in the focus of the task force.
Federal government supports Schwedt: Future of the PCK refinery in focus!
At the latest meeting of the PCK task force in Potsdam on Tuesday evening, it became clear that support for the PCK refinery in Schwedt will continue in the future. The federal government is not only characterized by the stability of jobs, but also relies on innovative approaches. State Secretary for Economic Affairs Frank Wetzel described the development of synthetic fuels for aviation as promising and future-oriented for the region. RBB24 reports that Schwedt is now exploring entering into partnerships with investors, with the state of Brandenburg continuing to provide support.
The PCK refinery, which is majority owned by the Russian state-owned company Rosneft, continues to be at the center of political discussions. While the federal government favors a sale of the majority shares, it cannot force this wish. Since 2022, the federal government has taken control of the Rosneft shares through trust management, which has now been extended several times. Brandenburg's Bundestag member Christian Görke has criticized this solution as "a game for time" and is calling for more participation in the future development of the refinery, especially with regard to Shell's shares. Wetzel announced that a decision on a possible extension of the trust administration could be made in a few weeks.
Future prospects and challenges
Daily Mirror reports that Wetzel perceives the condition of the refinery to be unsatisfactory and the sale is in the hands of the owner. With around 1,200 employees, the PCK refinery is an important employer in the region and now has to face new challenges. Previous crude oil supplies from Russia have no longer been possible since the Ukraine conflict in 2023, bringing the need to secure alternative sources of crude oil supply. The supply of crude oil from Kazakhstan is currently ensuring stable operations at the refinery, which achieved an encouraging utilization rate of 84 percent in the first half of 2025.
In order to improve the framework conditions for investments, the PCK refinery is working on an administrative agreement with the Federal Network Agency, which will serve as the basis for leasing space to investors. This could also benefit startups, as the refinery increases the availability of space and emphasizes the need for further locations for decarbonization and e-fuels projects. Brandenburg's Economics Minister emphasizes how important it is to develop new business models to make the refinery future-proof.
Overall, it is clear that the situation at the PCK refinery represents a critical challenge that has both economic and political dimensions. A look at the coming months will show whether the desired goals can be achieved and what contribution the region will make in adapting to the changing market conditions.