Germany develops strategy for refinery sector
Berlin wants to maintain fuel security while making the sector more sustainable.
Listen to this article
There is no audio version yet. Request one and an AI voice will read the article aloud.
Read by an AI voice.
.jpg){kind=link}
The German government began consultations on Friday on a strategy for the future of the refinery sector. The aim is to retain existing capacity while gradually adapting refineries to use fewer fossil feedstocks.
Germany’s Ministry for Economic Affairs began a dialogue with the oil industry on the role of refineries in the country. According to the ministry, federal states, trade unions and sectors dependent on refineries are also involved in the process. The outcome is later to be submitted to the cabinet as a strategy.
According to the ministry, Germany has eleven refinery sites, with a combined processing capacity of more than 92 million tonnes of crude oil per year. These facilities supply not only fuels for road transport, aviation and shipping, but also feedstocks for, among other things, the chemical industry and the production of medicines.
The government describes retaining refining capacity as a strategic priority. It cites the vulnerability of international supply chains, geopolitical conflicts and attacks on energy infrastructure as arguments. The ministry says that lost capacity cannot easily be replaced by imports, but this is a policy assessment rather than an established forecast for a specific crisis.
At the same time, Berlin wants refineries to adapt their facilities to feedstocks that are less dependent on fossil oil. According to the ministry, this will require major investment. No decisions have yet been taken on keeping open, closing or subsidising any specific refinery. The ministry wants to commission further studies and prepare a strategy that, according to reports, could be submitted to the cabinet in the first quarter of 2027.
The German plan is relevant to the Netherlands because Germany is an important industrial and energy-economic partner. Decisions on refining capacity could eventually affect the availability and price of fuels and chemical feedstocks on the European market. However, the strategy announced on Friday is not yet a decision on keeping open, closing or subsidising any specific refinery.
Also show where in Europe and in the world
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The German government began consultations on 23 October 2026 on the future of refineries.
- Germany has eleven refinery sites.
- The government wants both to retain refining capacity and to make the sector more sustainable.
- No specific decision has yet been taken on subsidies, closures or individual refineries.
Left
Arguments The government must prevent workers and regions from bearing the cost of the energy transition. Public support may be defensible if it is tied to binding climate targets, job protection and investment in cleaner production.
Values Climate protection, social security and public control of strategic infrastructure.
Consequences Without conditions, support could prolong dependence on fossil fuels; with conditions, the sector could, according to this approach, transition in a controlled way.
Centre
Arguments Germany needs reliable fuels and industrial feedstocks for the time being, but investment should depend on feasibility, costs and European rules. A dialogue with companies, trade unions and federal states could help identify risks and alternatives.
Values Security of supply, affordability, feasibility and institutional consultation.
Consequences A gradual transition reduces the risk of shortages and price shocks, but could delay climate gains in the short term.
Right
Arguments The state must protect strategic refineries from premature closure and competitive disadvantage. Excessive climate rules or uncertainty could move production to countries outside Europe without reducing global emissions.
Values National economic resilience, competitiveness and energy security.
Consequences More scope for existing facilities could protect jobs and security of supply, but increases the risk that investment in fossil-fuel infrastructure will continue for longer.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The article’s central claims are confirmed by the German ministry and by independent reporting from Deutschlandfunk and WDR. The text clearly distinguishes between announced consultations and decisions that have not yet been taken.
- confirmed The German government began a dialogue on 23 October 2026 about the future of refineries. — Reported by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and Deutschlandfunk. source
- confirmed Germany has eleven refinery sites. — Mentioned in the ministry’s statement and in the Deutschlandfunk report. source
- confirmed The combined processing capacity is more than 92 million tonnes of crude oil per year. — Stated in the ministry’s official announcement. source
- confirmed The strategy is to be submitted to the cabinet in the first quarter of 2027. — Mentioned in WDR’s reporting; the official source announces the strategy and its preparation. source
- confirmed No decision has yet been taken on keeping open, closing or subsidising any specific refinery. — The sources consulted describe a consultation process that has begun and an announced strategy, not a decision on an individual site. source
Editor's note
It is certain that the German government began a consultation and strategy process for refineries on 23 October, involving industry, federal states and trade unions. The final measures, financial support and effects on prices remain uncertain; no decision has yet been taken on these matters.Sources
- Bundesregierung startet Raffineriestrategie — Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie
- Sicherung der Raffinerien: Bundesregierung startet Strategie — Deutschlandfunk
- Reiche will heimische Raffinerien stärken — WDR
More on this in Dutch media
- Het Parool — „duitsland raffinaderijen”
- de Volkskrant — „duitsland raffinaderijen”
- NU.nl — „duitsland raffinaderijen”