EPICO in the Media

Where our ideas make an impact.

For Media and Press requests, please contact: Michela Sandron (EU Communications and Events Specialist) E-Mail: michela.sandron@epico.org

Handelsblatt: EU wants to extend free certificates by years

Handelsblatt quoted our CEO Bernd Weber in its exclusive story on the extension of the phase-out of free allocation in ETS certificates.

FAZ: The end of Habeck's "Heizungshammer"

The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung covered our new study on the reform of the Buildings Energy Act

Contexte: Commission’s IAA to use controversial sliding scale in voluntary label for low-carbon steel

Contexte quoted Dr Kirsten Scholl on the sliding scale approach to the green steel label, included in the leak of the Industrial Accelerator Act.

MLex: EU should speed up funding for new carbon-market rollout, think tank EPICO says

MLex reported on our ETS 2 Policy Report calling for accelerated funding to ensure the timely rollout of the EU’s new carbon market.

Politico: The EU's 2040 Homework

Politico PRO featured an interview with our CEO Bernd Weber alongside our ETS 2 Policy Report in its Energy & Climate newsletter (31/07/25).

Clean Energy Wire: Growing number of critics warn German econ ministry’s “reality check” could slow energy transition

Clean Energy Wire featured our Energy Transition Monitoring Policy Brief amid growing criticism that the government’s monitoring process could slow the transition.

Energate: Monitoring process in the political stress test

Energate messenger reported on our Energy Transition Monitoring Policy Brief, examining the political stress test facing Germany’s energy monitoring process.

Carbon Pulse: ETS2 reform vital for integrity of EU’s 2040 climate architecture, experts say

Carbon Pulse covered our ETS 2 Policy Report calling to accelerate funding disbursement in the new ETS 2 market.

FAZ: Will the gas heating become unaffordable?

FAZ reported on our ETS 2 Policy Report and its implications for the affordability of heating under ETS2.

FAZ: SPD accuses Reiche of breaking the coalition agreement

FAZ featured our Energy Transition Monitoring Policy Brief, highlighting debates on energy transition monitoring and coalition agreements.

FAZ: EU Commission wants to soften climate target for 2040

FAZ quoted our CEO Bernd Weber on the EU’s 2040 climate target and the inclusion of projects in third countries.

Tagesspiegel Background: Advantage for the climate: How frontloading can save the ETS 2

agesspiegel Background published an op-ed by Parul Kumar and Simon Munkler on why frontloading is essential to safeguard ETS2, building on our ETS 2 Policy Brief.

Euractiv: EU ditches decade-old subsidy orthodoxy to stop firms moving to China, US

Euractiv reported on our input to the EU’s rethink of subsidy policy to keep industries from relocating abroad.

Table Media: Industrial electricity price: BDEW warns against market interventions

Table.Media covered our contributions to the debate on the industrial electricity price, as part of the CISAF discussions.

Tagesspiegel Background: Reiche wants to re-emit the power plant strategy of the traffic light

Tagesspiegel Background referenced our Priorities for a Flexibility Agenda Study in its report on Katherina Reiche’s push for a new power plant strategy.

Tagesspiegel Background: How the EU could quickly finance social climate protection

Tagesspiegel Background featured how the EU can swiftly finance social climate protection, drawing on our ETS 2 Policy Brief.

IPPEN/Münchner Merkur: EU CO2 price dilemma: Predictable failure threatens - decisive deadline ends soon

Münchner Merkur highlighted our warnings on the risks of ETS 2 delays, stressing the urgency of timely CO₂ pricing from our ETS 2 Policy Brief.

Energate: Study recommends earlier distribution of funds from ETS 2

Energate messenger reported both on our ETS 2 Policy Brief and our event discussing earlier ETS 2 fund distribution.

L'Echo: Does steel production still have a future in Europe?

L’Echo quoted our Policy Specialist for Industry Julian Parodi in its analysis of whether steel production still has a future in Europe.

Handelsblatt: Interim loans from the EIB to cushion emissions trading socially

Handelsblatt reported on our ETS 2 Policy Brief urging earlier action in the rollout of ETS2.

El Confidencial: The German plan to resurrect its industry can skip the bullfighting the EU rules

El Confidencial quoted our Director for Industry Joachim Schmitz-Brieber in coverage of Germany’s plan to revive industry under new EU rules.

Tagesspiegel Background: Thinktank proposes additional frontloading in ETS2

Tagesspiegel Background covered our ETS 2 Policy Brief recommending additional frontloading in the ETS2 system.

Süddeutsche Zeitung Dossier: The digital euro in the fight against dependencies

SZ Dossier featured our Priorities for a Flexibility Agenda Study in its Digitalwende newsletter, linking flexibility to resilience in the digital economy.

Energate: Flexibility agenda required for the electricity system

Energate messenger highlighted our Priorities for a Flexibility Agenda Study, calling for a dedicated flexibility agenda in the electricity system.

Welt: For the energy transition to succeed Germany must now do one thing above all else

Welt published an op-ed by our CEO Bernd Weber with IW, stressing that infrastructure investment is key for the energy transition’s success.

Tagesspiegel Background: Roadmap for priority measures for flexible electricity use presented

Tagesspiegel Background covered our roadmap for priority measures to enable more flexible power consumption, based on our Priorities for a Flexibility Agenda Study.

Handelsblatt: How Germany's electricity consumers can save billions and stabilize the grid

Handelsblatt featured our Priorities for a Flexibility Agenda Study on how Germany’s electricity consumers can save billions while keeping the grid stable.

Podcast: Foresight Media: Germany's Power Market Split Decision

EPICO's CEO Bernd Weber joined the Jolt to discuss the consequences of a possible German split of its single electricity price zone.

Quote: Montel News: German industry warns of economic risks with power zone split

Montel News featured Bernd Weber’s warning on the economic consequences of a bidding zone split for Germany’s industry

Quote: Euractiv: Dividing Germany’s electricity market would save billions but local opposition is fierce

EURACTIV quoted EPICO's CEO Bernd Weber in its remarks on the fierce political resistance to splitting Germany’s power market.

Quote: Handelsblatt: Will electricity in southern Germany become more expensive?

Bernd Weber's comments on the future of German electricity prices the were reported by Handelsblatt.

Quote: Münchner Merkur: EU reprimands German energy transition with shock report: Merz has six months from now on

EPICO's CEO Bernd Weber was quoted in the Müncher Merkur on the ENTSO-E report recommending Germany's split into bidding zones.

Quote: Financial Times: Germany’s Single Electricity Market Faces Threat from Regional Divides

Bernd Weber’s take on the future of Germany’s electricity bidding zones was featured by the Financial Times

Quote: Table.Media: Electricity Price Zone: How Germany Could Avert a Split

EPICO's CEO Bernd Weber shared his thoughts with Table.Media on how Germany can avoid a costly division of its electricity price zones

Op-Ed: Table Media: Energy or Emissions: Why the GEG Needs a Pragmatic Middle Ground

In Table.Media, EPICO’s Policy Specialist Simon Munkler made the case for a pragmatic balance between efficiency and emission cuts in the GEG

Energate: Think Tank Argues in Favour of Special Purpose Vehicles for the Energy Transition

Energate messenger highlighted our latest study calling for special purpose vehicles to unlock private investment for the energy transition

Energate: Onshore Storage of CO₂ Is Being Discussed Again

Energate messenger covered our joint CMS event with KAS in Berlin, where fresh momentum for CO₂ onshore storage was in the spotlight

Op-Ed: Energate: There Is a Lack of Structural Reforms

In an op-ed for energate messenger, Joachim Schmitz-Brieber called for bold structural reforms to secure Germany’s green future

Podcast: the Jolt: Climate Crisis and Coalition Negotiations: Is Germany Ready for the Future?

EPICO's Joachim Schmitz-Brieber joined the Foresight Podcast "the Jolt" to unpack climate policy challenges in Germany’s coalition talks

Erneuerbare Energien: Comment: Which Recommendation Is the Right One?

Erneuerbare Energien took a closer look at the key ideas behind EPICO’s latest recommendations for Germany’s next federal government

Müncher Merkur: Climate Roadmap: Billions, Heating Law, Electricity Price and Cars in Focus

Müncher Merkur reported on EPICO’s recommendations to the new German government for driving forward climate and industrial policy

Quote: Table Media: Metal Action Plan: How the EU Commission is weakening protectionism

EPICO's Policy Specialist Julian Parodi shared his reaction and concerns on the new Steel and Metals Action Plan to Table Media.

Quote: Euractiv: Sustainable Development Goals great on paper, not in real world

Sam Williams, EPICO's EU Policy Manager, told Euractiv that more effort is needed to close the gap between the ambition of the SDGs and their actual implementation.

Op-Ed: Sustainable Views: Europe's path to sustainable competitiveness: seize the moment or fall behind

EPICO's CEO Bernd Weber calls for the EU to embrace pragmatism and innovation and abandon its regulation-focused approach in an op-ed for Sustainable Views

Handelsblatt: Record CO2 revenues – 18.5 billion euros for the federal government

EPICO’s CEO Dr. Bernd Weber remarked that ambitious climate protection requires social sustainability.

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung: Acute threat to European emissions trading

EPICO’s CEO Bernd Weber contributed to an op-ed with Stefan Kolev (Ludwig-Erhard-Foundation) on the impact of EU ETS 2 on the everyday lives of citizens.

Tagesspiegel Background: How the green steel turnaround could succeed

Tagesspiegel wrote about our policy report highlighting how the green steel revolution could succeed.

The Jolt: Europe braces for next gas supply drop

Sam Williams spoke on The Jolt about the current situation one electricity and gas supplies.

Energate Messenger: "There is a lack of demand for green steel"

EPICO’s Parul Kumar and Julian Parodi spoke with Energate on the lack of demand for green steel and the need to promote it through public procurement.

Euronews: Brussels, my love?: After Baku - Has the COP process run its course?

EPICO's EU Policy Manager Sam Williams, joined “Brussels, My Love” on Euronews to unpack the key takeaways from COP29.

Energate Messenger: EPICO wants climate-friendly competition for the EU

Energate Messenger quoted EPICO's strategy paper on the need for a holistic, competitive and grow-oriented approach to the EU's industrial and green policy

Media Mention: Euractiv: The Green Brief – Von der Leyen plans for five more years of furious energy, climate rule-making

EPICO's Policy Paper "How can hydrogen fuel climate-neutral aviation in the EU?" was mentioned in Euractiv's Green Brief.

Op-Ed: Tagesspiegel Background: Europa muss seine Wirtschafts- und Klimapolitik neu ausrichten

For the EU, focus on market economy measures and social acceptance for the transformation are necessary to achieve the climate goals and remain competitive

Euronews: Brussels, my Love?: The EU's Green Zombie

In the talkshow, Julian Parodi discusses the impact of the EU elections' results on the Green Deal and the EU's climate and energy policies.

Handelsblatt: Thinktank fordert von EU-Kommission stärkere Betonung der Wettbewerbsfähigkeit

EPICO calls for a market-oriented strategy to ensure that Europe achieves its climate and competitiveness goals.

Op-ed: Euractiv: ‘Made in Europe’ Hydrogen is possible – in the North Sea

In the guest article, EPICO’s CEO and founder outlines the opportunities of North Sea hydrogen for Europe’s energy security and competitiveness.

Media Mention: Handelsblatt: Offshore-Wasserstoff – Europas Hebel für mehr Unabhängigkeit

The EPICO study on North Sea offshore hydrogen infrastructure provides concrete recommendations to address structural and financial challenges.

Media Mention: Energate Messenger: Think tank recommends offshore hydrogen production

The EPICO study shows that offshore hydrogen "Made in Europe" can cut Europe’s reliance on external energy and boost competitiveness.

Podcast: Taking back the drivers seat – Industrietransformation als Wettbewerbsvorteil?

In episode 82 of the Redispatch Podcast, policy specialist Joachim Schmitz-Brieber discusses the challenges and opportunities of industrial transformation.

Print-Article: Erneuerbare Energien: Das Zeug zum Fliegen?

The EPICO study highlights the key role of hydrogen in achieving climate-neutral aviation and offers concrete action recommendations.

Media Mention: Handelsblatt: Ein Deal zum Nachmachen? Wie zwei Vorstände ein Energieproblem lösen

EPICO CEO and Founder Bernd Weber sees need for development in the German PPA Market.

Media Mention: Münchner Merkur: Debatte um Industriestrompreise – Stahl kochen, wenn der Wind weht?

EPICO's CEO and founder, Bernd Weber, advocates for the abolition of the baseload requirement and sees great potential for businesses as a result.

Op-ed: Tagesspiegel Background: Neue Chance für wettbewerbsfähige Industriestrompreise?

Senior Policy Specialist Joachim Schmitz-Brieber explores the opportunities for competitive industrial electricity prices in his op-ed.

Media Mention: Tagesspiegel Background: Bundeswirtschaftsministerium macht beim Kapazitätsmarkt Tempo

EPICO and Aurora's policy paper on Germany's capacity market was discussed during the PKNS conference.

Media Mention: Handelsblatt: Fachleute lehnen Habecks Ideen für den Strommarkt der Zukunft ab

This article by Handelsblatt mentions EPICO and Aurora's recent Policy Report analysing the BMWK's proposal for a new electricity market.

Media Mention: Tagesspiegel Background: Vorschlag für zentralen Kapazitätsmarkt nach dem Baukastenprinzip

EPICO and Aurora's Policy Report on Germany's capacity market was quoted in this article by Tagesspiegel Background on the upcoming PKNS conference.

Media Mention: Tagesspiegel Background: E-Kerosin: Deutschland könnte künftig zu Hauptproduzenten zählen

EPICO's Policy Paper "How can hydrogen fuel climate-neutral aviation in the EU?" was mentioned in a recent article by Tagesspiegel Background.

Media Mention: Euractiv: The Green Brief – Von der Leyen plans for five more years of furious energy, climate rule-making

EPICO's Policy Paper "How can hydrogen fuel climate-neutral aviation in the EU?" was mentioned in Euractiv's Green Brief.

Media Mention: Welt: Produktion nach Wetterlage? „Niemand darf die industriellen Realitäten ausblenden“

Bernd Weber's op-ed for Handelsblatt on the need for a grid tariff reform in Germany was mentioned in a recent article by Welt.

Op-ed: Handelsblatt: Warum die Reform der Industrie-Netzentgelte eine gute Idee ist

Bernd Weber wrote an op-ed for Handelsblatt, together with Lion Hirth and Hanns Koenig on the need for a grid tariff reform in Germany.

Article: Audit Committee Quarterly: Novelliert und abgeschwächt: ein verändertes Klimaschutzgesetz mit beschränkter Verantwortlichkeit und erwartbar gravierenden Konsequenzen

In their article for Audit Committee Quarterly, Parul Kumar and Bernd Weber analyse the Climate Protection Act.

Media Mention: Energate Messenger: Epico wants climate-friendly competition for the EU

Energate Messenger quoted EPICO's strategy paper in an article on the need for a holistic, competitive and growth-oriented approach to the EU's industrial and energy policy.

Media Mention: Tagesspiegel Background: Bundesnetzagentur nimmt Netzentgeltrabatte für die Industrie ins Visier

This article quotes EPICO and Aurora's study on addressing the flexibility gaps of the German electricity market.

Media Mention: Energate Messenger: The country needs more flexibility

In order to close flexibility gaps in the German electricity market, a technology-open approach is necessary, according to a study by EPICO and Aurora.

Media Mention: FAZ: Wie das Stromsystem flexibler werden soll

This article outlines EPICO and Aurora's work and upcoming report on addressing the flexibility gap in the German electricity market.

Op-ed: Tagesspiegel Background: Europa muss seine Wirtschafts- und Klimapolitik neu ausrichten

The EU is facing important decisions with regard to climate protection and growth. A clear focus on market-based measures and broad social acceptance of the transformation are necessary in order to achieve the climate goals and remain competitive, writes Bernd Weber in an opinion piece for Tagesspiegel Background.

Euronews Interview: Brussels, my love? The EU's green zombie

In the talk show, Julian Parodi discusses the impact of the EU elections on the Green Deal and the priorities of the next Commission.

Media mention: Handelsblatt: Thinktank fordert von EU-Kommission stärkere Betonung der Wettbewerbsfähigkeit

EPICO calls for a market-oriented industrial strategy to ensure that Europe achieves its climate and competitiveness goals.

Interview with ENDS Europe: What do the EU election results mean for the future of environmental policy?

In this article by ENDS Europe, EPICO's EU Policy Manager, Sam Williams, reflects on the European elections' results and the future of the European Green Deal.

Interview with Tagesspiegel Background Energy & Climate: Umwelttechnologie als Wirtschaftsfaktor in Deutschland und Europa

EPICO's CEO Bernd Weber discusses the future of the European Green Deal after the 2024 EP elections.

Interview with ENDS Europe: What would a far-right surge mean for the future of the Green Deal?

Will a shift to the right in the next European Parliament significantly impact Europe's quest to net-zero? EPICO's EU Policy Specialist, Julian Parodi, replies to this question in an article by ENDS Europe.

Euronews Interview: Brüssel, meine Liebe? Was wird aus dem Green Deal nach den Wahlen?

In the German edition of Euronews "Brussels, my love?", EPICO's CEO Bernd Weber discusses the future of the Green Deal and the electric car market in Europe.

Podcast: #70 Redispatch mit Dr. Bernd Weber (EPICO, Founder and Executive Director)

In episode #70 of the Redispatch podcast, Dr. Bernd Weber discusses current topics in energy and climate policy.

EPICO in the FAZ: Wer bekommt den billigeren Strom?

The discussion about the division of Germany into electricity price zones is not only relevant at national level, but also has European implications.

Guest comment: "Electrification in industry promotes resilience"

In his guest comment for Energate, EPICO's CEO Bernd Weber presents important recommendations to increase energy resilience in Europe and Germany.

Media mention: Brüssel will eigenständig mehr Subventionen verteilen

EPICO's publication "An Industrial Agenda to Increase Germany's Energy Resilience" was quoted in an article by Handelsblatt on Enrico Letta's report on the future of the Single Market.

Media mention: Epico mit Empfehlungen für Energieresilienz

This article by Tagesspiegel provides a summary of EPICO's latest publication "An Industrial Agenda to Increase Germany's Energy Resilience".

Interview with WDR: Klimaschutzgesetz: "Verbindlichkeit deutlich reduziert"

The WDR 5 interview with EPICO's CEO and Founder Bernd Weber focuses on the reform of the climate protection act (Klimaschutzgesetz). Critics fear that, by no longer dividing CO2 by sectors, fewer measures will be implemented, in particular with regard to hard-to-abate sectors.

Interview with Forum - Weekly Magazine: Sog der Erneuerbaren

"Sog der Erneuerbaren" published by Wochenmagazin is an interview with the CEO and founder of EPICO, Bernd Weber. It focuses on the relevance of green (wind) energy as an investment location for Germany, and looks at which regions are well positioned for this energy source, and why.

Interview with Foresight: European Union weathers gas insecurity but prices still bite

Op-ed: Dr. Bernd Weber and Pieter De Pous in Tagesspiegel: Innovation and flexibility instead of just government orders via power plant strategy

Op-ed: Dr. Bernd Weber and Klaus-Dieter Borchardt in Euractiv: German subsidies for industry energy prices are the wrong remedy

Op-ed: Dr. Bernd Weber and Sabine Nallinger for Table Media Climate: Renewables as a location factor: Where Bavaria must learn from the North

Interview with Carbon Pulse: EU power market reform to underpin a reshaping of the economy as Franco-German ease tensions

Interview with Revolve Media: CBAM: EU Protectionism or Landmark Climate Policy

Op-Ed Dr. Bernd Weber and Markus Pieper for Euractiv: One year on, Europe is still missing a business case for industrial decarbonisation

Interview with Carbon Pulse: ANALYSIS: One year in, the US IRA climate law has triggered a global green industry race

Tagesspiegel Background on EPICO: EU Commission pushes ahead with work on European Hydrogen Bank

In May, the EU Commission plans to present its plans for a hydrogen bank. Internal documents from the Directorate-General for Energy (DG ENER) show that the European Hydrogen Bank is expected to auction contracts for difference or fixed premiums for hydrogen projects. Epico KlimaInnovation, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) and Guidehouse have examined these models for a European Hydrogen Bank in their report earlier this year. They conclude that a double auction model would only be suitable under certain circumstances.

Energymonitor on EPICO Report: The 'Iberian exception': A success story?

Six months ago Spain and Portugal introduced the so-called ‘Iberian exception’, a cap on wholesale gas prices to reduce the cost of electricity. Now Brussels has finally agreed on an EU-wide cap. What can the bloc learn from the Iberian experience?

Bloomberg on EPICO and Aurora Energy Research Report: Easiest Fix for Europe Power Market Is to Do Little, Study Finds

"The European Union should refrain from big interventions, with only small changes required to better protect consumers and integrate renewables, according to a report by Berlin-based think-tank Epico and Aurora Energy Research."

euobserver on EPICO: Paying consumers who save most energy could tame gas prices

The saga of capping gas prices is far from over, and the EU is under pressure to balance high energy costs, maintain price signals, and meet its green transition targets — without any negative long-term impact on the energy market design.

Epico in Table Europe: Commission emphasizes Turkey's strategic role in gas supply

When it comes to securing Europe's gas supply, the Commission wants to focus more on transit countries.

Montel News on EPICO: EU market intervention risks supply crunch - think tank

EU leaders should commit to gas demand cuts as interfering with wholesale gas prices would create “significant risk” of supply shortages, said think tank Epico ahead of a key meeting in Brussels on Thursday.

Tagesspiegel Background on EPICO: Gas price proposals for scarcity and shortage

The EU Commission intends to present its proposal for capping gas prices tomorrow. The plan is apparently to introduce a flexible gas price corridor. This can be seen in a letter from the Commission to the energy ministers of the Union, EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson confirmed over the weekend. The think tank EPICO has evaluated other possible measures.

Op-Ed Dr. Bernd Weber for Euractiv: EPICO Paper „What to cap? Emergency Interventions in the European Electricity and Gas Market“.

Energate interview with EPICO KlimaInnovation: Conversation with Andreas Jung MdB and Dr. Bernd Weber: "We want to achieve the 1.5 degree target and climate neutrality with innovations."

DPA message in Handelsblatt, finanzen.net, Wallstreet-Online and others: Alliance launches think tank for innovative climate policy of the future

Image: energate-messenger.de