In the statement distributed on Friday, the ÖVP-led ministry indirectly questioned the coupling of the electricity price to the gas price, but backtracked a short time later. “Due to the current coupling of electricity and gas prices, electricity companies are also currently benefiting from rising gas prices, the majority of whose electricity production comes from renewable energy. This unusual development due to the war is difficult to understand, especially for energy companies in which the federal government holds shares.” , the statement said. However, after the message was sent, a spokesman for the Ministry of Finance emphasized by telephone that it was not the intention to question this coupling.
The written statement goes on to say: “On behalf of the Federal Chancellor, we are currently examining various proposals and models in order to contribute to easing the current development. One thing is clear: the state should not benefit from the current crisis while people are under strong rising electricity prices.”
In an interview with the “Tiroler Tageszeitung” published on Thursday, Nehammer said: “The aim must be to ensure that when state-owned companies generate large profits, the owners benefit – and in the end it is the taxpayers. You own this company. … Random profits from companies with state participation belong to the people and not to the companies alone. New regulations are needed.”
Source: Nachrichten
