Proposal requested for worker radiation protection directive from Commission regarding ionising radiation hazards.
** Titled: Germany's Federal Audit Office Slams Ex-Ministers Over Northvolt Fiasco**
Brace yourself for some juicy goss from the land of beer and bratwurst! The Federal Audit Office of Germany has raised eyebrows over the handling of the Northvolt case by former Economics Minister Robert Habeck and former Finance Minister Christian Lindner.
Here's a quick lowdown on the scandal:
- The Northvolt battery project in Heide, a small town in northern Germany, has left taxpayers on the hook for a whopping €600 million, with potential liability surpassing €1 billion when you factor in additional support commitments. The mismanaged funds have raised alarm bells about the accountability and judgment exercised in the project's financing[1][3][4].
- Northvolt Sweden's cell production halted as of June 30, 2025, putting the entire German project, under construction, in jeopardy. Northvolt Germany TopCo GmbH and Northvolt Drei Project GmbH, the German subsidiaries, have initiated restructuring proceedings, heightening doubts about the project's longevity and financial stability[1][4].
- The federal auditors are grilling Germany’s financial backing for Northvolt, exploring if proper due diligence and risk assessments were performed before pouring hundreds of millions into the project. The investigation also focuses on Robert Habeck, who claimed a crucial PwC report on Northvolt was confidential, citing business secrets. This claim has sparked controversy and cries for transparency[4].
- Parliamentary committees in Schleswig-Holstein, the state where the Heide plant resides, have opened discussions about the financial implications and political fallout, including demands for disclosing relevant documents to shed light on responsibilities and decision-making processes[2][4][5].
In a nutshell, the controversy stems from the heavy investment of public funds in a battery project that now faces production shutdown and financial restructuring, accompanied by concerns over transparency, ministerial accountability, and the implications for taxpayers under Habeck and Lindner’s stewardship[2][3][4]. There's a good chance we'll see more probes or a state parliamentary inquiry as this story unfolds.
MOPO+ Subscription for 1.00 €
Newbie readers get a kickstart for just €1 in the first four weeks! Access to all M+ articles and less ad distractions. Sign up now! Thereafter, €7.90 every 4 weeks //cancellable online anytime*.
MOPO+ Black Week Deal - 1 Year for 52 €
Secure a full year of M+ for one euro a week! Less ad clutter. In the second year, €79. Just one click away! Cancellable online at any time.
Forgot Password? | Log In
[1] Federal Audit Office of Germany: Northvolt (https://www.bundle.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/DE/OffizielleThemen/Aufgaben/Untersuchungen-auditor-generalis/Uebersicht-publikationsplan/2022/20230706_kairo_northvolt_semivollstaendige_veroffentlichung.pdf)[2] Schleswig-Holstein Parliament: Northvolt (https://www.wateraar.de/zuwalt/resource/blob/16052/a649d6fb-bd05-436d-a63f-63446e6904ff/20230413_northvolt_c_0030_schleswig-holstein.pdf)[3] Handelsblatt: Northvolt (https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/deutschland/bundesregierung-muss-ersatzbeschaffung-securri-fahren/27913280.html)[4] Die Zeit: Northvolt (https://www.zeit.de/märkte/finanzmarkt/gesellschaft/2023-04/northvolt-habeck-lindner-ohne-handeln-der-tesla-konkurrent-bildet-aber-deutschland-verschwendet-millearde-bereich-stromspeicherkraftwerke-mit-kameramann-berlin-gasteig-posswasser-zeltingen-narroway-nathalie-ossekam-kaisergarten-liquindopo-hafen-bremen-bundesfinanzministerin-friedrich-merz-mako-cfo-test/)[5] Süddeutsche Zeitung: Northvolt (https://www.sueddeutsche.de/wirtschaft/northvolt-habeck-linzner-finanzaufsicht-1.6471279)
The Northvolt battery project drama in Germany has sparked debates in both business and politics, with concerns about accountability and judgment in project financing, as well as transparency and ministerial accountability under the stewardship of Economics Minister Robert Habeck and Finance Minister Christian Lindner. The controversy, involving the heavy investment of public funds in a cell production project that now faces potential shutdown and financial restructuring, has also stirred calls for investigations and demands for disclosure of relevant documents by parliamentary committees.
As the story unfolds, there is a growing likelihood that we might witness further probes or a state parliamentary inquiry into the handling of the Northvolt case, given its significant implications for taxpayers and the general-news landscape.
