SPÖ Finance Minister Marterbauer Wants to Make Energy Companies Pay

According to "Presse", energy companies are to pay the state three euros for every megawatt hour of green electricity generated. For gas power plants, the levy is four euros per megawatt hour. This involves a total of 200 million euros, according to a spokeswoman for SPÖ Finance Minister Marterbauer.

272 Million Euros in Revenue from Energy Crisis Contribution 2024

According to "Presse", a levy of three or four euros per megawatt hour would bring in 250 million euros annually. So far, around 200 million euros have been budgeted for the extension of the energy crisis contribution. In 2024, the energy crisis contribution brought in 272 million euros. This raised concerns in the industry that the domestic electricity sector could be charged more than twice as much as originally planned. The minister's spokeswoman denied this to the APA on Thursday. A doubling of the contribution does not correspond to the government's plan. The Ministry of Finance stated regarding the draft that the top priority is the budget's rehabilitation. "200 million must come from the energy sector for this."

SPÖ Finance Minister Marterbauer: "Storm in a Teacup"

Marterbauer spoke before the budget committee in parliament of a "storm in a teacup". "The question now is how we get to the 200 million euros, and the factions are in talks. We will find a very pragmatic solution, so the excitement is a bit unnecessary," Marterbauer told ORF. Finance State Secretary Barbara Eibinger-Miedl (ÖVP) said the new measure is "still under review". The law is to be passed on Friday. According to the newspaper, ÖVP and NEOS still see a need for discussion. The Ministry of Finance confirmed to "Presse" that a corresponding draft was sent out, but it is "still in final coordination". According to the newspaper report, the Vienna SPÖ is also unhappy with the draft, as the city-owned Wien Energie is by far the largest gas power plant operator in the country.

Electricity Industry Criticizes Extra Tax for Energy Companies

The electricity producers criticized the plans. "A new electricity tax does the wrong thing for Austria as a location. It does not make electricity cheaper - but on the contrary, significantly more expensive," said Florian Maringer, managing director of the Wind Power Interest Group. Other associations in the electricity sector also warned of higher electricity prices and negative consequences for the expansion of renewables. For the Federation of Austrian Industries (IV), the "introduction of a completely new tax under the title 'Energy Industry Transformation Contribution' is the absolutely wrong signal for the industry and the energy transition."

The interest groups are already familiar with the draft of the "Budget Rehabilitation Measures Act 2025" (BSMG). According to this, a so-called Electricity Industry Transformation Contribution (EWTB) is to be newly introduced per megawatt hour for plants with an installed capacity of more than one megawatt (MW). The existing energy crisis contribution (EKB), which skims off the revenue (turnover) of energy producers from a market price of 120 euros per megawatt hour, is to apply from 100 euros in the future. In addition, 95 percent of the "surplus revenues" are to be skimmed off instead of the previous 90 percent. Investments in new green electricity plants are also no longer to be credited as before.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.