ADVERTISING
In an interview with the editorial team, ENTEGA's Chairwoman of the Board, Dr. Marie-Luise Wolff, explains, among other things, why investments in renewable energies are worthwhile, why personal lifestyle is also a political issue, and why she warns against political extremism.
Ms. Wolff, Germany is in a recession, and global wars and crises are making the conditions for businesses increasingly unstable. Aren't massive investments like the ones ENTEGA is planning for expanding renewable energy and the fiber optic network far too risky in this context?
Quite the opposite is true. If we don't invest now, especially in the energy transition, it will have disastrous consequences not only for us as a company, but also for Darmstadt and southern Hesse. Climate change is a challenge for humanity; it even threatens the existence of our species. We know the measures that can at least curb the warming of the planet, and we, as an energy company, have the means to do so. "Property entails obligations," as our constitution wisely states. This also means that we, as a company, must do everything in our power to counteract the climate catastrophe. Therefore, for example, the more than 300 million euros that ENTEGA will invest in expanding wind power in the coming years are money well spent. Incidentally, this is also true in a purely economic sense: It is already paying off that we consistently focused on the energy transition as a business model much earlier than most others; that's why we are in a better position today than many of our competitors.
Climate change is a personal concern for you as well – not just as CEO of ENTEGA. How do you see the current situation, especially after the World Climate Conference in Dubai?
Frankly, it is a great disappointment to me that the international community has not been able to agree on a phase-out of fossil fuels in the foreseeable future. We have known the cause of global warming for a long time: CO2 . Therefore, we must phase out energy production through the burning of coal, oil, and gas as quickly as possible. ENTEGA's corporate strategy demonstrates that this can be achieved.
But doesn't the fight against climate change also mean that we all have to change our lifestyles?
Absolutely. If we want to prevent the 2.8-degree warming that threatens us with all its terrible consequences, we all need to fly less, drive less, and eat less meat, to name just three examples. This is where politics comes in: firstly, to lead by example, and secondly, to explain much more effectively than before what is truly at stake: the endgame for humanity, as the subtitle of one of my books states.
In addition to expanding renewable energy sources, ENTEGA is also investing heavily in its fiber optic network. Do you expect these investments to pay off as well?
Absolutely. It's quite clear that the demand for fast, broadband internet will continue to rise massively in the coming years. Who, if not us, who know the networks in our region better than anyone else, should invest in this area?.
Why is ENTEGA investing so heavily in the region?
I want the investments that ENTEGA has decided upon to be understood as a commitment to our region. We live in southern Hesse, a prosperous region; Darmstadt is one of the most economically prosperous and still fastest-growing major cities in the state.
You have made political statements in the past and warned against extremism. What are your reasons for taking a political stance?
I sometimes feel that we undervalue the advantages we have in Germany and, as a result, give too much attention to the problems that undoubtedly exist. This attitude, in turn, makes it easy for populists and extremists. I can only warn against falling for parties like the AfD. They want nothing less than to transform our country into one that is no longer open to the world, unfree, and hostile to pluralism. I speak out politically because I don't want to live in such a Germany. Furthermore, diversity and an innovation-friendly environment are crucial for ENTEGA's economic success. There would be no room for that in an AfD-controlled Germany. What's at stake right now is defending our individual, social, and economic freedom. Everyone should be aware of that.
Finally, a question on a different topic: You stepped down as President of the BDEW after six years. What is your personal assessment? I am very grateful that my colleagues placed their trust in me to lead this association, which is of paramount importance to our industry, for six years. I gained a wealth of experience and learned a great deal, and had incredibly valuable encounters – a highlight being my work on the Gas Price Commission during the challenging winter of 2022. This led to substantive synergies and numerous contacts that were also invaluable for my primary role at ENTEGA.
