Read news from:
Austria
SHARE
COPY LINK

ENERGY

How Austria plans to secure enough energy for next winter

The Austrian Federal Government has devised a €6.6 billion plan to ensure the country has enough storage of natural gas by autumn.

Published: 27 April 2022 16:06 CEST
Austria will not adopt an embargo on Russian gas and oil. Photo by Magda Ehlers on Pexels.
What could happen if we enter winter in Austria with a limited supply of gas? The Austrian Association of Cities is currently discussing contingency plans. Photo by Magda Ehlers on Pexels.

On Wednesday morning, the Council of Ministers met to discuss contingency plans for Austria’s energy supplies amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

This was followed by an announcement that a further €5 billion will be directed towards storage and natural gas stockpiling, in addition to the €1.6 billion already earmarked for Austria’s reserve gas supply. 

According to Kurier, Austria’s gas storage tanks should be 80 percent full by the start of the next autumn. The tanks are currently just 18 percent full.

READ MORE: What does Russia’s decision to cut gas to Poland mean for Austria?

Speaking about the €6.6 billion plan, Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer said: “No apartment should be cold in Austria.”

Fears of disruption to Austria’s gas supplies have been raised after Russian-owned Gazprom turned off the gas supply to Poland on Wednesday morning and threatened Bulgaria with similar action. Austria sources 80 percent of its natural gas from Russia.

Austria’s Minister for Energy Leonore Gewessler confirmed on Wednesday that Russian gas was still flowing into Austria uninterrupted, but stressed the importance for the Alpine Republic to diversify its energy supplies as soon as possible.

FOR MEMBERS: ‘An unprecedented situation’: How would a gas embargo impact Austria?

In the short term, Gewessler said existing gas supply relationships with Norway are to be expanded and discussions are being held with companies in North Africa and Qatar. Austria is also part of an EU-wide initiative for the joint purchase of natural gas.

Additionally, Nehammer took to Twitter on Wednesday to rebuke allegations made by the Russian state-owned news agency TASS that Austria had agreed to pay for natural gas supplies in roubles – a move that is prohibited by EU sanctions.

Nehammer Tweeted: “Before more fake news of Russian propaganda is spread here. OMV will of course continue to pay for gas deliveries from Russia in euros. Austria is adhering to the jointly agreed EU sanctions to the letter.”

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.
Become a Member to leave a comment.
For members

COST OF LIVING

Austria to hike amount to be paid out for 2024 ‘Klimabonus’ payment

Austrian authorities will soon start sending out the so-called Klimabonus payment, and it will be a higher amount than last year.

Published: 15 May 2024 14:57 CEST
Austria to hike amount to be paid out for 2024 'Klimabonus' payment

The Klimabonus or climate bonus is a part of Austria’s eco-social tax reform, a set of measures to promote climate protection.

One such action includes a tax on CO2 emissions, which increases fuel prices and affects Austrian drivers. The annual Klimabonus payment aims to offset this expense. 

The payment of this year’s climate bonus will see an increase due to the higher CO2 pricing, and so will range between €145 and €290. Last year, the bonuses varied from €110 to €220. The new figures were announced by the Austrian government after the meeting of the Council of Ministers on Wednesday, May 15th, reported ORF.

Payments will be made after the summer

You will receive the bonus if you have had your main residence in Austria registered for more than six months.

As during the precious years, the payment will be made after the summer – by bank transfers and postal deliveries via RSa letter. If you received the payment to your bank account last years, you should update your account details to finanzonline.at to ensure that everything is in order.

READ ALSO: Vienna reveals new plan for how to move away from gas heating

How much will you get?

The idea is that people who live in cities where they can rely on eco-friendly public transportation will receive a lower portion of the bonus. Those who instead have limited access to public transportation and need to pay higher costs, such as for using their car for travelling, will receive a larger portion of the bonus.

The government has created four different categories which decide how much residents in different locations will receive.

  • Category 1: Urban centres with very good infrastructure and excellent public transport facilities, such as Vienna. In Category 1 regions, there is no additional regional compensation, so the payment remains at the base amount (€145 per person).
  • Category 2: Urban centres with good infrastructure and solid public transport facilities, including cities like Graz, Salzburg, Klagenfurt, or St. Pölten. In Category 2 regions, the regional compensation is 33 percent of the base amount (€195 per person).
  • Category 3: Urban centres and surrounding areas with basic public transport facilities or good basic public transport options. Examples of category three regions are Groß-Enzersdorf, Wolfsberg, or Mittersill. In Category 3 regions, the regional compensation is 66 percent of the base amount (€245 per person).
  • Category 4: Rural communities and communities with only basic public transport facilities. Examples of category four regions include Mariazell, Werfen, and Sölden. In Category 4 regions, the regional compensation is 100 percent of the base amount (€290 per person).

READ MORE: Austria climate activist aims to take fight to Brussels

SHOW COMMENTS