power supply
Only Russian oil: what will happen to the refinery in Schwedt?
Systems on the industrial site of PCK-Raffinerie GmbH. Photo: Patrick Pleul/dpa
© dpa-infocom GmbH
Germany is looking for ways to become independent of Russian oil. The refinery in Schwedt is increasingly coming into focus. This causes unrest in the city and the union.
In the discussion about less dependency on Russian oil, the future of the PCK Schwedt refinery in the Uckermark is becoming more and more important.
The trade union IG BCE Berlin-Brandenburg has clearly backed the employees. “If anything comes up that affects the employees, their union is of course close by their side,” said district manager Rolf Erler of the German Press Agency.
PCK processes only Russian oil. The majority owner is the Russian state-owned company Rosneft. The PCK refinery receives oil through the Druzhba (Friendship) pipeline. 1200 employees work directly in the factory. In addition, there are hundreds of employees who work for suppliers and service providers on the factory premises. In addition, numerous companies in the region are supplied with petrol, diesel, kerosene and heating oil by the PCK.
Berlin and Brandenburg are supplied almost entirely by PCK
PCK plays a key role in supplying eastern Germany. PCK ensures 90 percent of the supply of petrol, kerosene, diesel and heating oil in Berlin and Brandenburg. This also means that nine out of ten cars run on fuel from Schwedt.
The trade union IG BCE is critical of the current public reporting on the future of the plant. “I assume that it is very challenging for the employees that there is speculation about their future every day,” says district manager Erler.
In the 30,000-inhabitant city of Schwedt, which came into being with the construction of the oil processing plant in the 1960s, the uncertainty is still great. She herself has more questions than answers at the moment about “what is to come,” said Mayor Annekathrin Hoppe (independent). In a letter to Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens), she and the city councilors demand that action be taken in Berlin with caution and foresight. “We currently feel that the Federal Ministry of Economics does not take us enough,” criticized Hoppe.
Of course, energy policy must be realigned. But you can’t do that in a few days. “This is a process that will take several years and, like the coal phase-out in Lusatia, must be politically supported and financially buffered.” The city is currently in close contact with the PCK, the Brandenburg Prime Minister and the Ministry of Economic Affairs, said Hoppe. At the moment all efforts were aimed at not losing a job.
Ministry: Protect employees from the consequences of the embargo
Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Economics wants to avoid the negative consequences of an oil embargo for PCG employees. “The lights don’t go out here immediately,” said Parliamentary Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Michael Kellner (Greens) on Monday during a visit to Schwedt/Oder. There are strategic crude oil reserves so that people, employees and companies can continue to work. “We as the Federal Ministry will do everything for employees and consumers.”
Brandenburg’s Economics Minister Jörg Steinbach (SPD) was reluctant to consider the possibility of expropriation as a last resort with regard to the refinery, which could be regulated by an amendment to the Energy Security Act. “We have to wait and see how the law is worded,” said Steinbach. “There are consequences for every scenario.” Steinbach made it clear last week that a possible end to Russian oil deliveries would pose particular challenges for the refinery and Brandenburg.
On Friday, an amendment to the Energy Security Act was discussed in the Bundestag for the first time. It provides that the federal government can intervene in the market in the event of an energy crisis and can also expropriate companies if necessary.
Shell is in talks with the federal government and Brandenburg
Meanwhile, the energy company Shell Germany is in talks with politicians about possible support for PCK after a possible oil embargo against Russia. During a visit to Schwedt on Monday, Minister Steinbach said Shell had promised to buy oil for PCK. This could secure 50 to 60 percent of the capacities. Shell Germany is a co-owner of the refinery.
“We have taken note of the statements made by the Brandenburg Economics Minister that Shell will support PCK in Schwedt, even if it means accepting economic losses, in order to maintain supplies to the region,” Shell Germany told the German Press Agency. “The fact is that intensive talks are currently being held between business representatives, the federal government and the state.”