Electricity costs increased: Local suppliers under pressure
Business
The high energy costs in retail meanwhile lead to the death of local suppliers. The Chamber of Commerce reports this and insists on rapid renewed action and an electricity price cap for companies. Following the German model, Austria also needs an electricity and gas price brake.
Above all, it is cooling costs that make it difficult for the small local suppliers in the state. Because electricity prices have risen sharply in recent months, representatives of the Chamber of Commerce now fear a wave of closures.
Electricity prices at local suppliers eleven times as high
Peter Büchmüller, President of the Salzburg Chamber of Commerce, also runs two ADEG branches. According to Buchmüller, electricity prices have increased elevenfold and he sees no end to the price spiral, because the high costs would have to be passed on to customers, at least in part. So far, electricity consumption has accounted for around one percent of sales, but it is now almost four percent.
Nationwide, industry representatives are expecting a wave of closures in the coming year. Then another 400 communities across Austria would have to get by without local suppliers. The government’s energy subsidy would also come far too late for these companies. Industry representatives are demanding financial support, which can already be expected.