German universities ‘unclear’ on who pays for extra energy costs

Strategies to adapt to rising costs include heating controls and building closure, survey shows

Universities in Germany are expecting to spend an estimated €1.3 billion—or 14 per cent more—on energy costs this academic year due to the “crisis winter”, a survey has shown.

The Higher Education Barometer, an annual survey run by the Stifterverband, an alliance of science funders, shows that the majority of universities in the country are having to adapt to rising energy prices. Energy costs exploded in the winter of 2022-23 due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Germany’s subsequent decision to stop Russian gas imports.