After two exceptionally good years, in which the demand for pellet heating systems was soaring, the air is out. Manufacturers are at odds with hesitant customers and government parties. A law that would bring clarity is a long time coming. Impatience increases.
All positions were coordinated between the federal and state governments in 130 meetings, and the proposal for the Renewable Heat Act has been in parliament for a vote since November – but this still seems a long way off. “We notice a standstill in politics that we cannot afford,” says Christian Rakos, the director of proPellets Austria, who made steam in the direction of Vienna yesterday: “We are slowly running out of time.”
Interested but not willing to graduate
Pellet heating manufacturers report restless customers who are considering giving up on their oil or gas heating, but are unable to make a purchase decision due to the lack of legal framework.
After two above-average years, the industry itself is in a dilemma: Germany and France have recently experienced huge declines and the hesitation of the Austrians is not filling the order books either.
Huge price increases were also a fact for the pellets themselves last year. In the end, there were even house searches at the initiative of the cartel authorities. Rakos speaks of an “unfounded accusation”. It wasn’t a promotion.
Source: Krone
I’m Ben Stock, a journalist and author at Today Times Live. I specialize in economic news and have been working in the news industry for over five years. My experience spans from local journalism to international business reporting. In my career I’ve had the opportunity to interview some of the world’s leading economists and financial experts, giving me an insight into global trends that is unique among journalists.
