Energy Transition in Thuringia: Conference on Infrastructure Financing
The modernisation of key infrastructure – from electricity and heating to public transportation – requires investments that amount to billions of euros in the coming years. Municipal utility companies are particularly affected by these challenges. Within this context, the Professorship of Infrastructure Economics and Management at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, together with the »Thüringer Aufbaubank« and the »Landesgruppe Thüringen des Verbandes kommunaler Unternehmen«, is organising the »Infrastruktur- und Daseinsvorsorge-Politik in Thüringen« Conference in Erfurt on 28 April 2026 from 10 am to 5 pm. Academics and professionals will be participating in the conference in talks and panel discussions. Finance Minister Katja Wolf will be joining the event as keynote speaker.
The conference focusses on key issues for Thuringia's future: How can the energy transformation be financed on a local level without overburdening cities and municipalities? The conference is aimed at local and regional government representatives, municipal utility and infrastructure companies, industry associations and public administration, and the academic and research communities. The results are intended to be used to develop concrete solutions for policymakers, public administration, and those working in the industry.
Major Investments Required for Climate Neutrality and Resilience
In order to hit the climate targets set by the German government, Thuringia’s infrastructure needs to become climate-neutral by 2045 while continuing to function reliably during crises. Municipal businesses, such as public utilities, are especially affected by the need for funding to transform energy, heating, and transportation systems while continuing to provide reliable public services. Thuringia has a few structural peculiarities in this regard: The state is divided into many smaller municipalities with small public utility providers, many of which have much less financial power than regions in western Germany.
This means: Local partners face the task of both strengthening their equity capital and securing extensive external financing. At the same time, the current legal framework, including the »Thüringer Kommunalordnung«, limits local authorities’ borrowing and economic activities, some of which are in need of review. This raises the question of future financial structuring and regulation, such as cooperation between municipal utility providers or support from the state and federal governments.
»Infrastruktur- und Daseinsvorsorge-Politik in Thüringen« Conference
28 April 2026, 10 am to 5 pm
Thüringer Aufbaubank, Bonifaciusstraße 14, 99084 Erfurt
The theme of this year’s event is: »Finanzierung der Sanierung und Transformation der Thüringer Infrastrukturen durch Land und Kommunen« (financing the renovation and transformation of Thurigian infrastructure by the state and local authorities). Media representatives are warmly invited to attend. Attendance is free of charge. Those interested in attending are asked to register by e-mail to: charlotte.ellen.latein[at]uni-weimar.de
Further information on the conference can be found at:https://www.uni-weimar.de/infra-th
Questions can be directed to Prof. Thorston Beckers, Professorship of Professorship of Infrastructure Economics and Management, by e-mail at: thorsten.beckers[at]uni-weimar.de or by phone: +49 (0)3643 / 584593 (Administration Office).