Linz (OTS) – VERBUND AG and AK Oberösterreich were able to reach an agreement together that brings cash money to customers across Austria. In the next few weeks, VERBUND AG customers will receive a one-off payment – 20, 40 or 85 euros, depending on the amount consumed. “This negotiation result brings our members cash, without bureaucratic hassle or years of waiting
“, says AK President Andreas Stangl with satisfaction.
No long legal battle
VERBUND AG increased the electricity price for existing customers on March 1, 2023. The procedure and scope raised legal questions that the Upper Austrian Chamber of Labor wanted to clarify in court in order to create legal certainty for everyone. Fortunately, lengthy legal proceedings were avoided because VERBUND AG sought dialogue and was prepared to find a customer-friendly and practical solution.
One-off payment between 20 and 85 euros by March 31, 2024
All customers who have been supplied with electricity by VERBUND AG as of September 30, 2023 and for at least four months (excluding float tariffs) will be paid a one-off payment based on consumption. Those with a consumption of up to 1,500 kilowatt hours (kWh) will receive a one-off payment of 20 euros into their account by March 31, 2024 at the latest. For consumption between 1,500 and 3,000 kWh, 40 euros will be paid out and for consumption over 3,000 kWh, 85 euros will be paid out. All affected customers will receive personal information from VERBUND AG. Those whose account details are not known to VERBUND AG are requested to provide them for the repayment.
Legal improvements for electricity price changes are urgently needed
The basis for the currently controversial price increases is a new legal regulation introduced in January 2022 in the Electricity Industry and Organization Act (ElWOG). This means that changes in electricity prices must be proportionate to the circumstances giving rise to the change. Furthermore, customers must be informed in writing in a transparent and understandable manner about the reason, requirements, scope and initial effectiveness of fee changes. This provision is too vague to ensure legal certainty.
AK President Andreas Stangl said: “With the current law, the federal government has not succeeded in creating simple and secure rules for appropriate changes in electricity prices. The AK Upper Austria is therefore calling for an amendment that creates legal certainty for changes in electricity prices. In the future, the regulatory authority E-Control will examine the appropriateness of price changes in advance based on defined criteria.
“
Questions & Contact:
Chamber of Labor Upper Austria – Communication
Mag. Dominik Bittendorfer
+43 (0)664-82 37 978
dominik.bittendorfer@akooe.at
ooe.arbeiterkammer.at