KARLSRUHE (dpa-AFX) - The head of energy group EnBW expects energy prices to fall again in the medium term. "When and how fast, however, we can not say with the best will in the world," Andreas Schell told the "Schwäbische Zeitung" (Saturday). In his view, however, prices will probably not fall to pre-crisis levels. At EnBW itself, there are currently no plans to increase prices again. "In general, however, the situation is very volatile, you have to take that into account," Schell said.

However, the German government's energy price brakes should not be implemented permanently, the EnBW CEO added. "The government had to take steps in the current crisis situation to avoid hardship." However, Schell does not consider a permanent intervention to be sensible: "After all, the price mechanisms worked well until the crisis."

The price brakes for electricity and gas are intended to cushion the consequences of the sharp rise in prices for consumers and companies. The brakes are to apply to private households and small and medium-sized companies from March, with retroactive relief planned for January and February./rwi/DP/he