Additional costs of well over 100 million euros annually for Austrian taxpayers due to the German gas storage levy
Vienna (OTS) – “We looked in vain for concrete statements and plans to object to the German and the planned Italian gas storage levy,” commented oecolution managing director Elisabeth Zehetner at today’s press conference by Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler on the phase-out of Russian gas. The gas storage levy that Germany has been charging since October 2022 not only burdens German end customers, but is also levied on exported or transited gas volumes at border transfer points, such as to Austria. This leads to significant additional costs for importing companies and ultimately for end consumers in Austria.
“As a result of the controversial gas storage levy, Germany passes on around a third of its costs for security measures in gas supply to its neighboring countries. For Austrian gas importers and their consumers, this means additional costs of well over 100 million euros annually,” explains Zehetner. Other European countries such as the Czech Republic, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Poland, Denmark and France are also affected. Zehetner adds: “In a time of high inflation, this represents another unacceptable driver of energy prices for Austria. A legal opinion, which was also presented to the Austrian Environment Minister last summer, confirms the EU illegality of the German gas storage levy.”
In addition, Italy is now also planning to introduce a similar levy, which could again have a severe impact on Austria. Austrian Gas Grid Management AG (AGGM), the market and distribution area manager for the Austrian gas networks, also considers the levy to be non-compliant with EU law. “We urgently call on Minister Gewessler to take action against these unfair burdens, as they undermine Austria’s diversification efforts,” said Zehetner.
Questions & Contact:
Kathrin Schriefer
Communication
Tel.: +43 676 4629426
Email: Kathrin.Schriefer@oecolution.at
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