AK President Goach: "Pressure from AK Kärnten resulted in one of the cheapest tariff models in a comparison of the federal states"

2023-08-10 08:15:33

AK President Günther Goach welcomes KELAG’s concession. AK’s lawsuit against KELAG remains in force in order to ensure clarity and legal certainty.

Klagenfurt – In today’s press release, KELAG announces, among other things, a 6% reduction in the preferential tariff and extends the switchover period for existing customers until September 1, 2023. AK President Günther Goach is pleased with KELAG’s concession. This is a first step in the right direction, but the current electricity price throughout Austria is still too high. On the part of the federal government, there is no sustained commitment to a general reduction in electricity prices, as in other European countries. Most European countries have already reacted actively in 2022 with, among other things, VAT reductions or a capped electricity price for all electricity consumers. Goach emphasizes: “I will not tire of repeating myself until it has arrived in Vienna. With an insufficiently worded Electricity Industry and Organization Act (ElWOG), the federal government has not succeeded in creating simple and secure rules for appropriate changes in electricity prices. This legal uncertainty must not be dumped on the backs of consumers. The federal government must finally act.”

With regard to the measures announced today by KELAG to reduce the electricity price, AK President Goach is positive. The pressure exerted by the Carinthian Chamber of Labor on behalf of consumers has had an initial effect and has thus brought about one of the currently cheapest tariff models in Austria. “In times of rising prices, every cent that is saved counts for Carinthians. It is a first step and we will continue to closely monitor the developments on the electricity market and make sure that price reductions are passed on to customers by the energy suppliers in a timely manner hoping for a reduction in electricity prices.

However, the lawsuit brought against KELAG by AK Kärnten remains in place in order to create clarity and legal certainty for consumers in the event of price adjustments within the framework of existing supply contracts.

The commitment of the Chamber of Labor in this case shows once again the indispensable role of the Chamber of Labor as a strong voice for the employees and representative of the interests of the consumers.