Others are ahead

Styrians have to wait for cheaper electricity tariffs

Several electricity providers in Austria lowered their prices on April 1. Energie Steiermark is still waiting in the wings. The KPÖ is therefore exerting pressure.

The situation on the energy market has eased noticeably in recent months. Many Austrian suppliers such as Kelag in Carinthia, Wien Energie and Linz AG are passing on the lower prices to their customers and have reduced their tariffs, in some cases significantly, as of April 1. In Styria, however, many electricity consumers still need to be patient before they receive their savings.

"We are also thinking about corresponding adjustments - but nothing has yet been decided on the exact extent," says Urs Harnik, Group spokesperson for Energie Steiermark, adding: "However, there will certainly be corresponding movements in the coming months. In this context, we shouldn't forget that last year we were the first provider in Austria to reduce tariffs for both electricity and gas." The same also applies to Energie Graz.

For the Styrian KPÖ, however, such declarations of intent are far too little: "In view of the fall in prices on the wholesale markets, it is high time that Energie Steiermark made concessions to its customers and lowered its prices - retroactively, like Wien Energie," says energy spokesman Werner Murgg.

In this regard, he also holds the state leadership around Governor Christopher Drexler (ÖVP) and Deputy Governor Anton Lang (SPÖ) accountable. After all, as the sole owner of Energie Steiermark, the province has every opportunity "and in our eyes also the obligation to supply the people of Styria with affordable energy".