This question was the focus of a working group to which the city of Salzgitter had invited in the Kulturscheune in Lebenstedt. On this evening, 60 citizens contributed their ideas and discussed them with those responsible.

Mayor Marcel Bürger opened the event and welcomed the guests. He made it clear that all citizens and those responsible in the city must ask themselves together what the energy transition in Salzgitter should look like and what everyone is prepared to do to achieve it.

Everyone consumes energy: in Salzgitter, as the third largest industrial location in Lower Saxony, certainly on a different scale than at home. "Nevertheless, we all have to pay for energy and should therefore think about how it should be produced in the future so that it remains affordable."

The pupils of class 10f1 from Kranich-Gymnasium had already given this some thought, having taken part in the city's competition, developed the slogan "KlimaschutzSZ" (climate protectionSZ) and won. The 28 pupils were delighted with the cinema vouchers presented to them by Marcel Bürger. The mayor welcomed the fact that the young people had dealt intensively with the topic of climate protection and the energy transition.

The city of Salzgitter is also doing this with the participation of its citizens. "Do we continue to rely on renewable energies and if so, in what form? Do we want more wind turbines in our landscape or would we prefer photovoltaic systems on our houses?" were some of the questions that could be answered with the simulation tool from merkWATT.

Managing Director Michael Fuder explained that this computer program simulates the proposals in "real time". For example, "the construction of new wind turbines" or the expansion of photovoltaic systems were entered into the program. The effects of the various measures on the landscape and energy costs are then visible. The citizens were impressed by the potential savings that could be made by renovating existing housing stock. Further ideas were presented: The area of solar heating and solar power should also be taken up by the administration. Wind energy should only be expanded moderately in the plans.

"We are taking the joint compromise with us as a basis for our work," emphasized Michael Tacke, Salzgitter's head of construction, environment and transport. Irrespective of this, citizens can make further suggestions on the subject of climate protection and energy savings. The Environment Department of the City of Salzgitter is happy to receive suggestions by e-mail or telephone: umweltstadt.salzgitterde or telephone number: 05341 / 839-3222