The waves have been running high since it became known that Wien Energie has liquidity problems, and asked the federal government for financial support. According to Energy Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens), this was “of course promised”. You clarify open questions. Green club boss Sigrid Maurer criticizes the Kleine Zeitung that it is “surprising that Vienna has known regarding the problem for three weeks and only informs the federal government when it is pointed to the button. That raises the question of responsibility.”
And the situation has been dramatic for a long time, as Vienna’s City Councilor for Finance Peter Hanke (SPÖ) explained. The City of Vienna had already provided 700 million euros in July, and another 700 million euros on Monday. These 1.4 billion euros flowed to the company from Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) via emergency law, and the responsible committee in the municipal council would only deal with it following the summer break. Hanke (SPÖ) put the “acute” need at six billion euros for further “financing requirements”. Now you are thinking regarding a loan in the billions – processed through the Federal Financing Agency.
Selling three times as much electricity as you produce yourself?
In ZiB2, Hanke had fewer concrete answers to the question of how it can be explained that Wien Energie recently sold three times as much electricity as it can produce itself in a year. Despite these figures, the city council rejected the allegation of stock market speculation.
The City of Vienna explained that on Friday the wholesale electricity price had jumped once more sharply. In addition, the security deposits for future transactions have multiplied. Hanke, owner representative of Wien Energie, tried to calm down. The federal government was asked to create a “protective shield” for the suppliers, since “moon prices” are currently being demanded for electricity on the stock exchange. Wien Energie is particularly affected because its own production is lower. In addition, it is not a question of “lost sums”, which would flow back following the transaction was completed. But: The safety net might even amount to up to ten billion euros.
Opposition wants special session in the National Council
Because Wien Energie has been outsourced, the opposition has no control rights, and the ÖVP has criticized the “tacit financial injections” accordingly. The FPÖ demands a statement from Vienna boss Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) and a special session in the National Council. The federal SPÖ sees the government as responsible, according to Jörg Leichtfried, they have “nothing under control”. Tyrol’s ÖVP boss Anton Mattle showed little understanding for the help. “It must be clear that not those federal states whose energy suppliers have managed prudently will have to pay for the difficulties of the energy suppliers in the east.”
