After lengthy negotiations the governing parties ÖVP, SPÖ and NEOS reached a deal with the Green party for a new energy market law (Elektrizitätswirtschaftsgesetz - ElWG) that aims to distribute the electricity grid costs fairer and limit electricity costs for some with a new social tariff.
Under the old framework only consumers of electricity paid the grid costs. The new law changes this, aiming to lessen costs for households and businesses. Under the new law the electricity producers must also contribute to the grid costs by paying a so-called “infrastructure levy” of 0,05 cents per kilowatt hour. This obligation does not apply to the first 20 kilowatt supplied to the grid, creating a far-reaching exemption for small producers.
Furthermore, the new law establishes a cheaper social tariff. Persons receiving minimum pension or emergency assistance as well as certain unemployed persons are eligible. The tariff caps electricity prices at six cents per kilowatt hour for the first 2.900 kilowatt hours. The costs are supposed to be borne by the energy companies though it seems likely that they will be passed on to other consumers.
Further information can be found below on the Der Standard.
