Christmas miracle for Austria: Germany tilts expensive gas tax!

Christmas miracle for Austria: Germany tilts expensive gas tax!

The relief for Austria's gas customers could not be greater: The German government has decided to abolish the controversial memory levy from 2025. This decision was made in the German Bundestag and marked a turning point in the dispute with the European Union. The memory levy was introduced in 2022 and significantly loaded the gastranes by Germany. From January 1, 2025, this contribution, which acted as a toll for gas deliveries, will no longer be charged at the border crossings. This change will bring savings in three -digit millions for Austria in the coming year, which will also have a positive effect on gas prices for households and industry. According to Mag. Michael Mock, Managing Director of the Gas Warm, this is a welcome news for the business location of Austria and a finished proof of the printing of the gas industry.

consequences for the gas market

The abolition of the memory levy comes at a critical time, since the gas supply via Ukraine - a main transport route - is in question, especially with regard to the possible end of Russian gas deliveries. Russian gas is currently continuing to flow through Ukraine via pipelines and supplies countries such as Austria and Hungary, which has far -reaching political and economic implications. Despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and international sanctions against Russia, there was an increase in gas imports from Russia to different EU countries, especially in Belgium and Spain, as the analysis of Tagesschau.de shows. Here, contractually bound deliveries that were concluded before the war continue to be served, which is complicated and characterized by dependencies.

The current situation increases the pressure on the European Union to make itself more independent of Russian gas, while at the same time alternative ways to ensure gas supply are explored. These developments are of crucial importance, since the EU plans to end the import of Russian gas by 2027, but this requires unanimous consent of all Member States. The simultaneous diversification of energy sources, including LNG terminals, takes on a key role. These changes are directly related to the recent events related to the memory levy and the ongoing geopolitical challenges in the gas market.