AUSTRIA: ONE YEAR OF ELECTRICITY DEREGULATION
Article Abstract:
One year after the partial deregulation of the electricity market, industrial power consumers in Austria have seen electricity prices fall by about 30%, in some cases even by 50%. While only a few industrial consumers have changed electricity suppliers, they have used the new entrants to the market, such as EnBW and Bayernwerk of Germany, to negotiate lower rates with existing suppliers. Even private households have seen electricity price cuts of 5-10%, as the public utilities cut rates ahead of the parliamentary elections. However, this cut will be made up for the doubling of electricity tax to Sch 0.20 per kWh announced by the new government for June 2000. Then Austria will have the second-highest tax on private electricity consumption in Europe, after Sweden. An Austrian household with an annual consumption of 3,500 kWh of electricity has a monthly electricity bill of about Sch 506, including taxes. The bill is the highest in Italy, at Sch 850, and the lowest in Finland, at Sch 350.
Publication Name: Presse
Subject: Business, international
ISSN:
Year: 2000
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AUSTRIA: COAL MINE CLOSING BROUGHT FORWARD
Article Abstract:
Graz Koflacher Bergbau Gesellschaft (GKB) is to close coal mining in Koflach in 2004 rather than 2008. The company has a coal supply agreement with the power company Draukraftwerke until 2008. The terms of the contract allow the parties to amend the agreement if there are drastic changes in business conditions. With the deregulation of the energy markets Draukraftwerke, which through Austrian Hydro Power AG belongs to Verbundgesellschaft, wanted to cut the price it pays for a tonne of brown coal from Sch 509 to Sch 209. In a compromise, the contract parties agreed to end deliveries in 2004, while the price remains unchanged. GKB is giving notice to a quarter of its 370 staff at the beginning of December 2000.
Publication Name: Presse
Subject: Business, international
ISSN:
Year: 2000
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Austria: Electricity fees not paid
Article Abstract:
Austrian electricity providers owe the government Sch 340mn in fees which customers paid to finance the subventions for Styrian lignite. In order to finance the using of the lignite, electricity customers paid charges added onto the network charge, which were then given via the ministry of economics to the producers which used the more expensive Styrian lignite. Although Sch 580mn was collected from the customers, only Sch 240mn was paid to the ministry of economics. It is not confirmed which companies have not been paying, but it is rumoured that it could be the Wiener Stadtwerke, EVN, and Upper Austrian companies.
Publication Name: Presse
Subject: Business, international
ISSN:
Year: 2001
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