SPÖ Advocates for Price Caps on Energy under Electricity
Lower Austria grapples with exorbitant energy costs, heavily impacting households, businesses, and the regional economy. In a bid to alleviate this burden, the Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ) has unveiled a comprehensive five-point plan.
On Wednesday, Sven Hergovich, chairman of SPÖ Lower Austria, and energy spokesperson Alois Schroll, presented a series of proposals aimed at reducing energy prices at a press conference. Hergovich emphasized, "Energy fuels our daily lives, but the escalating costs are placing undue pressure on families and businesses." A decline of 10% in industrial production since 2023 underscores this pressure.
The SPÖ's proposed measures focus on several key areas:
- Affordability should be enshrined in EVN's statutes, the regional energy supplier.
- Executive salaries at EVN should be capped at the governor's salary and linked to fair prices.
- A social tariff for households with limited incomes is to be established, funded by EVN's excess profits.
- Network tariffs should be restructured to provide relief for private households while charging large consumers more.
- Affordability should be legally protected in Lower Austria's Electricity Act.
Schroll stressed, "As a majority state-owned entity, EVN carries a significant public responsibility; however, this responsibility remains largely unfulfilled." Figures show that more people switched energy suppliers in Lower Austria than any other region in Austria during 2023 and 2024, signaling widespread dissatisfaction.
Hergovich concluded, "As energy prices continue to hinder economic growth and competitiveness, EVN, as the regional supplier, must take responsibility and align its operations with the needs of our communities." The black-blue state government has been called upon to address these concerns.
While specific details of the proposals are yet to be outlined, it is understood that the SPÖ's plan centers around leveraging regional resources and partnerships to stabilize and lower energy costs for consumers.
- Recognizing the impact of energy costs on the industry, finance, and business sectors, Sven Hergovich proposed that affordability must be enshrined in statutes for EVN, the regional energy supplier, to reduce costs for businesses.
- In an effort to alleviate energy costs for households with limited incomes, the SPÖ's plan includes establishing a social tariff funded by EVN's excess profits, demonstrating a focus on profit distribution within the energy industry.
