Willingmann: Save local manufacturers for green technologies!

Willingmann: Save local manufacturers for green technologies!

Wittenberg, Deutschland - On July 14, 2025, the Minister of Energy from Saxony-Anhalt, Prof. Dr. Armin Willingmann, a strong signal sent. On his visit to the battery storage manufacturer Tesvolt in Wittenberg, he emphasized the urgency to specifically support European manufacturers in the field of renewable energies. This happens in view of the special challenges that the market brings. From wind power to photovoltaics, the availability of renewable energies can fluctuate strongly, which is why reliable energy storage is of the utmost importance.

"We have to protect our own manufacturers from the unfair competitive conditions from abroad," said Willingmann. He particularly warns of the decline of European photovoltaic manufacturers and calls for preference for European providers for tenders for electricity storage. This is not only a question of marketability, but also in Europe's technological independence. The EU has taken a significant step in this direction with the Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA). The aim is to cover at least 40 % of the need for net zero technologies within the EU by 2030.

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"We need an incentive system 'Made in Europe' for tenders and funding programs," says Willingmann. Electrical energy storage is not only essential for companies, but also for households, especially in view of the regulatory framework, which is created by the new EU regulation. According to [bundeswirtschaftsministerium.de] (https://www.bundeswirtschaftsministerium.de/de/Pressemitteilungen/2024/20240629-net-zero- ind--kraft.html), with the entry into force of the NZIA of the bureaucratic effort and investing in the necessary technologies is funded.

The Tesvolt Gigafactory, which is to be opened in spring 2026, will have a manufacturing capacity of four gigawatt hours and estimates an investment requirement of 30 million euros. This shows that the industry has reached a point at which it is necessary to produce locally in order to satisfy the increasing need for energy storage solutions.

The current market situation

In 2022, the proportion of renewable energies in electricity production in Germany was almost 60 %, and the demand for electricity storage is growing steadily. Around 1.8 million home memory were installed at the end of 2024. Almost half of the 3.8 million photovoltaic systems in German households use a battery storage. According to [Zeit.de] (https://www.zeit.de/news/2025-07/14/energieminister-will-Vorgung-europaeischer manufacturer), the need for batteries will continue to increase.

Willingmann also spoke of the hope of a reform of the Renewable Energy Sources Act in order to introduce basic funding for electricity storage. Saxony-Anhalt's Minister of Economic Affairs emphasized the need to make the German solar industry more resonance within the solar pact, even if a desired "resilience bonus" for the industry was rejected according to the Veto law of the FDP.

Overall, it becomes clear that the European industry and in particular the manufacturers of energy stores face challenges, but also have good prospects in adapting to the upcoming requirements. It remains to be seen how the political decisions will now advance developments in this key industry.