Rising energy prices and "a hard-to-gauge" future energy policy are restraining corporate investment in Germany , a survey by the German Chambers of Industry and Commerce, or DIHK, found Monday.

The survey, which questioned 28,000 companies operating in Germany , showed that roughly every second firm regards lingering uncertainty about future energy costs a key business risk. The government's shift from conventional to renewable energy sources has been pushing up power prices for households and most businesses.

The findings come ahead of Wednesday's negotiations between the country's largest parties--Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservative grouping and the left-leaning Social Democrats--to form a government.

German energy companies are particularly worried about the government's lack of clarity on key energy issues: 79% of firms in the sector say it is jeopardizing its business and hampering investment.

Also, 41% of firms say that the general "economic-political framework" is posing risks. They cite unease over the future course of labor market regulation and taxation, after September's general elections left Ms. Merkel's conservatives five seats shy of a parliamentary majority, a spokesman at DIHK said.

The SDP on Sunday drew up a list of ten "non-negotiable" demands in upcoming coalition talks, including a national minimum wage, a financial-transaction tax and more rights for workers.

DIHK said that, in general, German companies' plan to increase investment amid rising business sentiment and an improving export outlook. But investment expectations remain muted compared with the period between fall 2010 and mid-2012, the survey showed.
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