Energy-saving campaign launched by the city and municipal utilities

Jena stands together - together against the energy crisis: under this motto, the city of Jena and Stadtwerke Energie Jena-Pößneck launched a campaign today to support the city's residents during the current period. To mark the start of the cold and dark season, various motifs in the cityscape are now pointing out energy-saving tips, information pages and offers of help.

Stadtwerke Managing Director Gunar Schmidt: "Even if work is being done on relief packages at EU and federal level: Energy prices like those before the Ukraine war are a thing of the past. It is foreseeable that households will have to pay even more for energy in the coming year despite the electricity and gas price brakes. Conscious use of energy remains the order of the day."

In addition to the financial aspect, Gunar Schmidt emphasized that although a gas shortage is unlikely for the coming winter due to well-filled storage facilities in Germany, there is still a risk of this happening in the winter of 2023/24. The issues of security of supply and protection of critical infrastructure therefore urgently need to be considered and driven forward - especially with a view to securing Jena as a business location.

The aim of the joint energy-saving initiative is to send out a joint signal of solidarity for Jena and its citizens. Lord Mayor Thomas Nitzsche said at the campaign launch:

"In the current energy crisis, we are all concerned with the question of how we can use gas and electricity more consciously. With our energy-saving campaign, we want to give citizens helpful and easy-to-implement tips on how we can reduce our consumption with simple measures. Because even if we cannot escape the market and global political conditions or stop the causes, we can certainly do something to ensure that we all get through the winter safely."

Achieving a 20 percent savings target together

According to the EU Gas Expert Commission, it is necessary to save at least 20 percent gas this winter in order to avoid the risk of a gas shortage and the resulting social and economic upheaval. In Jena, efforts are particularly evident in the area of energy-intensive local industrial companies. In households, it is important that everyone really is called upon to make their own individual contribution. Mayor Christian Gerlitz, head of the municipal energy crisis team:

"We need to pool all our strengths and expertise to mitigate the effects of the energy crisis for local people and businesses. It's about the sum of many small changes and questioning habits. As a municipality, we have a special responsibility - also with regard to the functioning of the economy in our city and region. And we have a role model function by setting an example in the area of energy saving through concrete measures, for example in public buildings."

Jena Crowd with increased funding pot as a concrete offer of help

The energy crisis is threatening the existence of numerous non-profit associations, cultural and sports facilities and social initiatives in Jena and the region. The municipal utilities are therefore launching an aid campaign at the end of the year via the Jena Crowd donation platform, in which organizations can present their "crisis projects" to a broad public and finance them with the help of the community.

Whether it's turning away from fossil fuels in the clubhouse, retrofitting the old heating system, insulating rooms for greater energy efficiency, energy-saving projects or a short-term rescue package to maintain club life - these and many other ideas from non-profit actors to counter the effects of the energy crisis are welcome on the Jena Crowd. In order to provide active support, Stadtwerke is increasing its monthly funding pot to 10,000 euros and adding another 20 euros to every donation of 10 euros or more - until the funding pot is empty.

This is how it works:

1. Until November 22, 2022: Create a project on jena-crowd.de, describe it with text and images, set a target amount and apply for review.
2. Stadtwerke will review the applications and allow the participating projects to go online at the end of November.
3. If the self-imposed target sum for a project is raised by the deadline of December 22, 2022, the amount will be paid out. If not, all supporters will automatically receive their money back.

V.l.n.r.: Stadtwerke-Geschäftsführer Gunar Schmidt, Christian Gerlitz, Leiter des kommunalen Energiekrisenstabs, und Jenas Oberbürgermeister Thomas Nitzsche

© Stadtwerke Jena