Electricity prices rise: concern about cost avalanches in Austria!

Electricity prices rise: concern about cost avalanches in Austria!

Austrian home of the electricity price brake faces a critical wave of rising energy costs. From January 2025, the prices for electricity and gas are increasing significantly, which will further tighten the already tense Situation for many households. As vienna.at , the previous reduction in electricity taxes under the turquoise-green government was created up to 500 euros per year. However, the prospect of increasing network costs is already causing unrest, and the managing director of REWE Austria warns that the government should not simply ignore the price increase: "People are already very insecure," he said and demanded sustainable relief.

The electricity price brake and its consequences

The electricity price brake, originally introduced to help the citizens under the pressure of the energy crisis, was a temporary solution. From July 2024, the grant will be reduced from 30 cents to a maximum of 15 cents per kilowatt hour. In addition, households that consume the applicable market price must pay beyond the limited contingent of 2,900 kWh. finance.at states that the gradual outlet of current measures for many families means high additional costs. This could lead to desperate financial bottlenecks, especially for households with low income.

The NGOS Attac and Volkshilfe Austria warn of dramatic social consequences and advocate that the energy suppliers should pay proportionately for the increasing network use fees. In her opinion, a change in the law is necessary to relieve those affected, while at the same time the companies benefit from the high profits they achieved in 2023. In view of these developments, the forecasts for the coming years seriously question the stable financial situation of many families.