Outrage Over Planned Electricity Market Law

The electricity market law planned by the government continues to cause a storm of outrage among wind energy providers. For them, it is clear: The law makes electricity more expensive - and not cheaper, as promised by ÖVP, SPÖ, and NEOS. "If I make electricity generation more expensive, then electricity cannot become cheaper," said Florian Maringer, Managing Director of IG Windkraft. A "debate of envy and a squabble over the pie" does not solve the supply problem.

Managing Director of IG Windkraft: "Deceptive Package"

Maringer spoke on Wednesday of a "deceptive package" through which Austria loses value creation. A particular thorn in his side are the network fees, which are the second highest in Europe. Around Austria, these fees do not exist at all, emphasized Martina Prechtl-Grundnig from the Renewable Energy Association. With the "Austria surcharge," electricity certainly does not become cheaper and, moreover, the investment basis is "massively damaged," she said at a press conference.

For Stefanie Markut, board member of W.E.B. Windkraft in the Waldviertel, the question arises as to how long the location will remain attractive. The joint-stock company with 7,000 shareholders is deeply rooted in Lower Austria, but they also have locations in Italy, where the conditions are far better than in Austria. And she also made it clear: "Electricity will become more expensive, no matter what the law is called." She was referring to the name chosen by the government, "Cheaper Electricity Law."

"Hope for a Soon Public Final Draft"

However, the wind power operators do not yet know exactly what will be in the law. "We hope for a soon public final draft," said Maringer. He pointed out that there have been "almost monthly" deteriorations for his industry recently. The opposite would be necessary. Especially in winter, wind energy could make Austria more independent from energy imports, emphasized Stephan Sharma, CEO of Energie Burgenland.

He appealed to the government to reverse the separation from the German electricity price zone. Currently, Austria pays 2 cents more per kilowatt-hour at the electricity exchanges than Germany. It would also be important to standardize the network tariffs, of which there are over a hundred in this country, while in France there is only one tariff. The state could also change the depreciation period of infrastructure, after all, it is in its possession. It would also be important to promote energy communities - instead, the planned law creates new barriers, criticized Sharma.

"Cheaper Electricity Law" Requires Opposition Votes

The federal government agreed on a new draft for the Electricity Industry Act (ElWG) yesterday, Tuesday, and approved it in the Council of Ministers. The draft also received a new name, now called "Cheaper Electricity Law." To pass the law in the National Council, it requires the votes of the FPÖ or the Greens in addition to the governing parties of ÖVP, SPÖ, and NEOS.

(APA/Red)

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