Austria's solar power operator under pressure: new network charges planned!

Austria's solar power operator under pressure: new network charges planned!

The Austrian government presented the draft of the new Electricity Economic Act (ELWG) on Friday, and expectations are high. Economic Minister Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer (ÖVP) presented the legislative proposal, which comes on the table with one and a half years of delay. The aim of the comprehensive reform is to reschedule the Austrian electricity market and at the same time drive the energy transition forward. But not everyone is happy about the proposed measures.

A central point of the draft is the introduction of network charges for fed -up solar power. This new regulation is supposed to ask the operators of photovoltaic systems, and that is about 500,000 in Austria. Although the exact amount of the network fees still has to be determined by the regulatory authority, this regulation is criticized by the Federal Association of PV Austria as a massive affront against the energy transition. According to [sunny side] (https://www.sonnnen page.com/de/energie/wien-will-ein-sefeisen-von-solarstrom-trom-ketrafen/), this could also lead to higher electricity prices for all consumers.

regulations for households and the future of security of supply

The law also provides for some other significant changes. Flexible network charges and a nationwide uniform social tariff of 6 cents net per kilowatt hour for households with an annual current consumption of up to 2,900 kilowatt hours are to be introduced. Around a quarter of a million households could benefit from this, but the costs must be borne by the energy suppliers. It would also be possible that the feed-in of PV current is more flexible depending on the network situation, but there is a "lace cap" that states that in the event of a impending network overload, only 60 percent of the service may be fed for a short time [Puls24] (https://www.puls24.at/news/politik/netzentgelt-fuer-pv-strom-sialtat-se-scheinfe-das-bringe-büt-e-e---e-------e---e-

The market situation and the competitiveness of the generation plants are also at stake, since Austria already has the second highest feed -in costs in the EU. This could have a negative impact on energy supply, since additional network charges endanger flexibility in the electricity system. "We needed a good hand at the energy transition, that could now prove to be a boomerang," says Vera Immitzer from PV Austria, which sees the introduction of network charges.

The political process and the challenges

For the adoption of the law in the National Council, a two-thirds majority is required, which presents the government parties of ÖVP and Greens with a challenge. Support could come from the FPÖ, which is still undecided. In addition, other groups such as the umbrellable energy Austria have noted massive concerns about the previous regulations. They fear that the existing international disadvantages that affect domestic production could be further tightened.
Green Party leader Leonore Gewessler announced a careful examination of the draft to ensure that the measures are within the meaning of the environment and the consumer

A view is almost undisputed: the design can not only catch Europe economically, but also ecologically on the wrong foot. The coming months will show whether the new Electricity Economic Act can bring the desired turning point or whether it is more the attempt to maintain tried and tested structures. The discussion has only started and it remains exciting how citizens and entrepreneurs will react to these new regulations.