... the companies surveyed had to assess the economic development of their respective sector (1 = very negative development, 2 = negative development, 3 = stagnating development, 4 = positive development, 5 = very positive development). The lignite power plant technology sector in particular currently has a positive outlook for the future. The VDI sees the remaining lifetimes of nuclear power plants as a possible explanation. Lignite has to cover the base load in the short to medium term and still has cost advantages over other energy sources such as natural gas.