2023-12-15 21:28:08
The renewable subsidy flat rate and renewable subsidy contribution will also be suspended in 2024
Vienna (PK) – With the extension of the electricity price brake and the suspension of the renewable subsidy flat rate and the renewable subsidy contribution, the National Council today measures against high electricity prices and inflation. While the ÖVP and the Greens welcomed the continuation of the electricity price cap, the opposition was critical of it. For example, the FPÖ and NEOS criticized the fact that taxpayers would pay for this themselves. The SPÖ criticized inadequate measures to combat inflation.
The SPÖ and FPÖ expressed themselves positively about changes to the Renewable Energy Expansion Act and the Green Electricity Act, which, among other things, will suspend the renewable subsidy flat rate and the renewable subsidy contribution in 2024.
Electricity price brake will be extended until 2024
In order to continue the inflation-dampening effect in view of persistent above-average inflation rates, the electricity cost subsidy, the supplementary electricity cost subsidy and the network cost subsidy will be extended by six months. If necessary, the Energy Minister, in agreement with the Finance Minister, can adjust both the timing and the amount of the electricity cost supplement and the network cost subsidy by regulation. This is what a comprehensive amendment tabled by the coalition in plenary today sees Application from the ÖVP and the Greens. The motion was accepted by a majority in the version of the overall amendment.
Christoph Stark (ÖVP) emphasized that the federal government helps people in times when they urgently need help. The electricity price brake provides unbureaucratic and quick help.
Electricity prices were “extremely challenging” for consumers, discussed Lukas Hammer (Greens). During this time, it was not possible to suspend the electricity price mechanisms, as the SPÖ and FPÖ demanded. The federal government acted and put a brake on electricity prices, which will now be extended.
The ÖVP let inflation “rush through” and as a result people could no longer afford anything, criticized Rainer Wimmer (SPÖ). With regard to the electricity price brake, Wimmer criticized, among other things, that it was not sufficient for households with heat pumps and also called for energy suppliers and their billions in profits to be “not left out”.
The causes of the high electricity prices are not being combated and taxpayers are paying for the electricity price cap themselves, criticized Axel Kassegger (FPÖ). Measures are needed against the “oligopoly structures” of the energy suppliers.
Gerald Loacker (NEOS) spoke of “zero decency” among the government factions in view of the amendment to a “launch rocket” that was submitted at short notice. The extension of the electricity price brake is taking place in the context of the upcoming election date in 2024 and this is “cheap populism”. The electricity price brake ultimately results in high electricity prices for the benefit of energy suppliers at the expense of taxpayers and also eliminates competition.
The renewable subsidy allowance will also be suspended in 2024
One Legislative initiative of the coalition factions aims at changes to the Renewable Energy Expansion Act (EAG) and the Green Electricity Act (ÖSG). The collection of the renewable subsidy flat rate and the renewable subsidy contribution will also be suspended for 2024. The reason for the move is the still high electricity prices and the inflation-increasing effect of the two control instruments. In order to achieve the defined expansion goals for renewable energy sources, federal funds have already been earmarked in the 2024 budget. Supplementary provisions to the EAG are also intended to increase the transparency of prices for district heating and district cooling. E-Control will be given better checking options as part of the price reports, and the tariffs will also be displayed in the tariff calculator. The funding rules for wind turbines will also be changed. In addition, the funding limit for innovative photovoltaic systems will be raised to 45% of the investment costs. For non-innovative photovoltaic systems, hydropower systems, wind turbines and biomass systems, investment support is limited to a maximum of 30% of the investment costs. The changes to the Green Electricity Act affect operators of green electricity systems and their ability to receive remuneration for the green electricity fed into the public grid at the market price. In order to minimize the marketing risk of the processing agency for green electricity, a cap on remuneration will be introduced for market price contracts. The motion was passed with the necessary two-thirds majority, taking into account an amendment. In addition to the VAT exemption for smaller photovoltaic systems, it stipulates that investment subsidies can no longer be received for this. Larger systems that are not subject to the reduced tax rate will continue to be supported with the EAG investment grant.
The initiative would bring “a lot of improvement, a lot of relief and a lot of transparency,” emphasized Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler. Households would save an average of €110 by suspending the renewable subsidy flat rate and the renewable subsidy contribution. This is an important contribution in times of difficult economic conditions and an important contribution to curbing inflation.
Michael Bernhard (NEOS) criticized that government subsidies would now be made in areas that are self-sustaining. This way you won’t be able to get away from the high tax rate.
Lukas Hammer (Greens) emphasized that the EAG is the most successful law for promoting green electricity. This initiative would reduce electricity bills and improve transparency in district heating.
Axel Kassegger (FPÖ) also signaled their approval that the Freedom Party is involved wherever it involves reducing electricity costs for end customers and increasing transparency in the energy market. However, the MP criticized the increase in investment support for photovoltaic systems as “over-promotion”.
Alois Schroll (SPÖ) approved the regulation because citizens would be protected from additional costs on electricity bills. Schroll called on the climate protection minister to submit a regulation that ties the promotion of the expansion of renewable energy to eco-social criteria.
Tanja Graf (ÖVP) and Martin Litschauer (Greens) welcomed the extension of the deadline for wind turbines in the Alpine area as well as the suspension of the renewable subsidy flat rate and the renewable subsidy contribution. (Continuation of the National Council) sox/pst
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