Thuringian municipalities exchange views on the energy crisis

For many months, city and district administrations in Thuringia have been dealing with the energy crisis and the resulting tasks and measures. On the initiative of the Energy Advisory Board of Erfurt City Council, representatives from the cities of Eisenach, Gotha, Erfurt, Jena, Weimar, Gera and the Kyffhäuserkreis district have now met twice.

In video conferences, the participants discussed the challenges and the energy-saving measures already implemented in the respective administrative structures. They also discussed the practical implementation of the German government's short and medium-term regulations on energy saving, the communication of measures internally and externally and disaster prevention plans in the event of a blackout, which is generally considered unlikely.

All stakeholders involved have now formed energy advisory boards or crisis teams to advise, implement and communicate the respective measures. Accordingly, all of them have already taken concrete measures, although the design and intensity still varies. Many are focusing on lowering room temperatures and dispensing with hot water in administrative buildings and sports facilities. Lowering the water temperature in swimming pools is also a tried and tested method, as is limiting the lighting time at Christmas markets or in public spaces.

Most of the participants have already set up energy portals on their websites to provide the most important information in a condensed form.

Possible disaster prevention plans in the event of a blackout were also discussed in the video conference. All participants agreed that they consider this eventuality to be extremely unlikely, but that they all want to be prepared nonetheless. For this reason, existing emergency plans are being reviewed everywhere and adapted to the current situation if necessary. The municipalities are relying on cooperation with local energy suppliers and fire departments to pool existing potential.

The exchange between the municipalities is now to be continued once a month at regular intervals. A representative from southern Thuringia, the district of Schmalkalden-Meiningen, will then also join in.