Due to its energy-intensive production processes, surface technology is under enormous pressure. Nevertheless, the German Federal Ministry of Economics' key points paper on the introduction of an industrial electricity price limits the group of companies that will be able to obtain the "bridge electricity price" in the future, according to the ZVO. The specification on "energy-intensive industrial enterprises, which stand in the international competition" as well as the reference to the past special equalization regulation (BesAR) let to a large extent only the large enterprises of the basic industry profit.
However, the aim of the bridge electricity price must be to maintain the value chains in Germany and to consolidate them in the long term in the course of decarbonization, according to the ZVO. This is the only way that Germany as an industrial location can remain a leader in international comparison in the future. Since small and medium-sized enterprises play a central role in this, it will be crucial to structure the industrial electricity price in such a way that all companies at risk due to energy intensity benefit, regardless of their size.