Electricity price compensation: a ray of hope for energy -intensive companies!

Electricity price compensation: a ray of hope for energy -intensive companies!

Österreich - On June 8, 2025, the Industrialist Association (IV) welcomed the new edition of the electricity price compensation. This measure aims to relieve energy -intensive companies in Austria, especially in times when the budgets of many companies are tense. However, electricity price compensation is not a classic funding instrument, but an important location instrument to strengthen international competitiveness.

The EU Commission has expressly asked the Member States to implement electricity price compensation. This regulation is established in many EU countries and is considered decisive for competitiveness. In Germany in particular, electricity price compensation is secured by 2030, which creates additional planning security for companies. The IV also requires an extension of this planning security beyond 2026 to advance the electrification of the industry.

CO2 emissions and costs

A central concern of this regulation is to relieve companies that suffer from the high CO2 costs. Since the third trading period of EU emission trade (from 2013), operators of electricity generation plants have no longer received free certificates, which leads to higher prices. These indirect CO2 costs burden particularly energy-intensive companies that are often forced to pass them on to their customers ( dieß ).

The electricity price compensation is therefore intended to help secure the international competitiveness of these companies. The aim is to prevent production relocations and an increase in CO2 emissions to non-EU countries, a phenomenon known as carbon leakage. In this context, the EU Commission has identified specific sectors that are particularly at risk, including pig iron, steel and ferrol regulations.

funding guidelines and application processes

In order to enable the compensation of indirect costs, the Federal Government has issued a funding guideline for the fourth trading period. Companies in beneficial sectors have the option of applying for aid that are based on their electricity consumption or the amount produced. The maximum aid is 75% of the indirect CO2 costs, which represents a reduction compared to the 85% at the beginning of the 3rd trading period ( Gallehr+Partner ).

The application process must take place every year at the German emission trade point (DEHT) by May 31. All applications must be verified formally and by an auditor. An important requirement for the funding guidelines are ecological consideration of companies that include energy audits or energy management systems.

The electricity price compensation is therefore not only an important financial relief instrument, but also a contribution to promoting energy efficiency in industry. Companies are already striving for efficiency improvements, and additional obligations could unnecessarily complicate the processes, which is criticized by IV in the current discussions.