Vienna Greens Demand Price Reductions for District Heating

After "drastic increases" in recent years, district heating tariffs would rise again by 15 percent, criticize the Vienna Greens. According to Green Party leader Peter Kraus, Vienna's Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) could have intervened but did not.

Price Reductions for District Heating: Vienna Greens Refer to Upper Austria

The Greens referred to the corresponding actions against high district heating prices in Upper Austria and are calling for an independent regulatory authority. As they explained, there is a so-called price commission for pricing, whose proposals the mayor can approve or reject. However, he does not intervene in the tariffs, which leads to high profits for Wien Energie. The inflation spiral in district heating began in 2022 with a price increase of 92 percent, emphasized Kraus.

The peak values would only be reduced by discounts. In Upper Austria, the responsible - and present at today's media event - state councilor Stefan Kaineder (Greens) limited the prices at the same time, it was highlighted. "We have shown in Upper Austria that it is possible. If you act courageously, you can protect people from unjustified price increases. Vienna should finally take this path as well," suggested Kaineder. The Greens demanded a reversal of the increase and rapid price reductions in Vienna. They also called for the convening of the price commission and the creation of an independent regulatory authority. The latter should examine and report similarly to E-Control.

For SPÖ club chairman Josef Taucher, the allegations are unfounded. "Anyone who wants to conduct serious energy policy cannot rely on half-truth comparisons or create populist sentiment," he said in a response. According to calculations, the district heating prices of Wien Energie are among the cheapest in Austria. They are, for example, cheaper than in Linz. At the same time, the expansion of renewable energy is being pushed forward with great urgency, explained Taucher. Recently, the purchase of the Austrian wind and solar power pioneer "ImWind" was presented. With this, Wien Energie has recently taken another major step towards the energy transition.

(APA/Red)

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