Tyrolean industry: Energy costs are a threat to the existence of numerous companies
The long-awaited energy cost subsidy for companies was finally presented at the end of September. The grant is a first step, but more must follow. In view of crushing energy costs, which are now threatening the existence of numerous companies, decisive action is required.
INNSBRUCK. From the point of view of domestic industry, as the sector most affected, it is incomprehensible that Austria does not make better use of its opportunities to secure the business location and all the jobs associated with it. “The framework specified by the EU must also be fully exploited in Austria,” demands the chairman of the Tyrolean industrial division, Max Kloger. The shortening of the application period to eight months and the shortening to just part of the actual energy consumption are massive competitive disadvantages compared to our European neighbors. The exclusion with the alleged electricity price compensation, the long-demanded and now announced introduction of electricity price compensation in Austria, is incomprehensible. All these restrictions represent a serious disadvantage compared to our European neighbors, especially Germany.
Max Kloger in the BezirksBlätter interview
adjustment required
There is currently no end in sight to the energy crisis. At the level of the EU Commission, the approval period must be extended beyond the end of 2022. The condition of a negative operating result in the higher subsidy levels also means that several subsidies only arrive when it is too late. The energy subsidy is only a first step, but more must follow, according to the heads of the WK industrial divisions of the federal states of Vorarlberg, Tyrol, Salzburg, Carinthia, Upper Austria and Styria at their energy summit.
relief needed
From the point of view of the industry it is clear that the energy cost subsidy can only be the further beginning of – also uniform – measures.
Numerous instruments that have been announced, such as electricity price compensation or the promotion of gas diversification, are still open. The aim is to avert the loss of jobs, added value and competitiveness – and thus potentially irreparable damage – to Austria as a business location.
It is therefore clear that there must also be further relief for companies. Ultimately, however, Europe must get away from the redistribution and finally get to the root of the problem. In addition, Europe has unfortunately fallen into national borders when it comes to energy, which can be seen in the electricity price zone separation between Germany and Austria. We need a common electricity price zone, demands Kloger. To this end, the electricity pricing model – keyword “merit order” – urgently needs to be reformed. “The time frame for this instance, which the EU Commission has set itself, is much too broad at six months”criticizes Klöger.