The Electricity Industry Act, presented by Minister of Economic Affairs Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer (ÖVP) at a press conference, aims to fundamentally change the electricity market in Austria. It includes social tariffs, flexible grid fees, and a cap on peaks in the feed-in of solar power. Additionally, it plans to introduce grid fees for fed-in solar power.

Electricity Industry Act under Review: Social Tariff for the Needy

The goal is to reduce electricity costs, strengthen supply security, and accelerate the energy transition, according to Hattmannsdorfer. Energy supply companies will be required to pass on price reductions to their customers within six months. Specifically, the law provides for the introduction of a nationwide uniform social tariff of 6 cents net per kilowatt-hour for an annual consumption of up to 2,900 kilowatt-hours. Around a quarter of a million households in Austria are expected to benefit from this. The energy suppliers are to bear the costs. In the future, all households will have flexible, time- and load-dependent grid fees as well as dynamic electricity contracts. The market supervision by the regulatory authority E-Control will also be expanded. Households will also be allowed to share electricity on a small scale - for example, within the neighborhood.

Peak Capping in Feed-in of PV Power

The planned "peak capping" in the feed-in of photovoltaic power has already sparked discussion: In the event of an impending grid overload, only up to 60 percent of the capacity may be fed in - however, according to the ministry, this should only be for a few minutes a day at most. Additionally, the introduction of grid fees for fed-in PV power is planned. A two-thirds majority is required in the National Council for the law, so the governing parties need the votes of the FPÖ or the Greens.

(APA/Red)

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