Relief for Austria: Bundestag strokes gass levy!

Relief for Austria: Bundestag strokes gass levy!

Laimgrubengasse 10, 1060 Wien, Österreich - On December 20, 2024, the German Bundestag made a pioneering decision: The abolition of the gas storage levy, as it is highly emphasized by Austria's business association Lower Austria . This measure could result in a noticeable relief for the Austrian economy. Before the decision, there was a considerable financial burden of around 275 million euros annually for the domestic gas recipients, which would have been the same as an enormous pressure of around 750,000 euros per day. Wolfgang Ecker, President of the Economic Association, emphasized that the levy would have heavily burdened particularly energy -intensive industries, which would not be sustainable in the current economic situation.

In addition, the Bundestag reacted to the concerns of several Eastern European countries and Austria, who felt the levy as a hindrance to the independence of Russian gas. According to n-tv , the levy will only be collected from 1 January 2025 for inland withdrawals, while it falls out for cross-border deliveries. This means that from January 2025, the toll for transport from Germany increases by almost 20 percent to 2.99 euros per megawatt hour, which increases the costs for the guest transfer in Europe. The original introduction of this levy took place during the energy crisis to convert the storage costs in Germany to the users. Austria and other affected countries had recently pushed for a rapid repeal.

The abolition of the gas storage levy is considered a first step in the right direction in order to relieve the domestic economy and to create clear, predictable framework conditions that enable companies to act successfully. Ecker demands improved stability to better counter the challenges that arise from external influences.