Energy crisis Vienna – Brunner: presentation of the brake on the electricity price postponed

A ceiling on electricity prices should bring immediate relief from the energy crisis. After lengthy discussions about whether such a measure is necessary and how it should be implemented, Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) and Energy Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) promised to provide information on the further roadmap in August.

For the time being, nothing will come of this, said Finance Minister Brunner on Tuesday in the ORF “ZiB 2”. Since Saturday, the experts from the ministries have been busy supporting energy supplier Wien Energie, which is in financial difficulties. A presentation of the measure must therefore be postponed, Brunner asked for patience.

Brunner: “That’s Vorarlberg’s budget”
At the moment, the protective shield likely to be needed by Wien Energie is a two billion euro credit line. “That’s Vorarlberg’s entire budget,” Brunner made clear about the size of the amount. The money will be available in just two hours if really needed – but final negotiations are still ongoing.

The federal government initially debated with the city of Vienna about about six billion euros, which could be required for the down payment when buying capacity on the power exchange. As the wholesale price for electricity has fallen dramatically in recent days, it is likely that much less is needed now.

No pre-planned foreclosure
When asked why people — like Germany, for example — hadn’t worked on such a protective shield for energy companies much earlier, Brunner explained that until now it had simply been “not necessary.” This would also have shown the demand from companies in the past week.

There are currently no other companies that require such assistance – but just to be sure, you’ll want to check with the companies again.