Wind industry welcomes agreement on Electricity Market Act (ELWG)
After lengthy, intensive negotiations, the Electricity Industry Act (ELWG) marks an important milestone on the path to a clean, independent, and secure energy system that takes regional electricity supply into account. Political solidarity in the final stages has resulted in an important law for domestic electricity. The law sets out a new legal framework for the rapidly changing electricity market in around 150 pages and 191 paragraphs.
Foto: Klaus Rockenbauer
"We would like to thank all the negotiators for the constructive dialogue and the very open exchange in the run-up to the agreement, including Elisabeth Zehetner, who always had an open ear and time for our concerns. Without a doubt, the new ELWG is an important step for Austria's energy future. Greater planning security for wind power—including the new supply infrastructure contribution instead of the uncertain grid usage fees and a relaxation of peak capping—makes our outlook for the coming years much more confident. These results show how important it is to remain in dialogue, to listen to technical arguments from experts and interest groups, and to engage in constructive discussion. The new regulation reduces uncertainty, creates regional added value, strengthens the location, and enhances our energy independence," affirms Markus Winter, Chief Technology Officer at Windkraft Simonsfeld.
“After months of intensive negotiations, the last days of 2025 will be remembered as days of pragmatic and sensible compromise for a promising, domestic energy system,” said IG Windkraft President Josef Plank.
The risk of an incalculable and uncertain Austrian surcharge for domestic electricity was mitigated in a positive, democratic culture of mutual understanding—not least in the final, constructive rounds of negotiations with the Greens.
Greater planning security for clean, regional electricity
Instead of ongoing grid usage fees, which are adjusted annually by E-Control, there will now be a supply infrastructure contribution capped at € 0.5 per MWh and enshrined in law as a levy. This is a decisive difference in the predictability of projects. “The fact that the arbitrary peak cap for winter electricity has also been lowered is a positive sign of consideration and reason,” said Maringer. “Now it's time to continue with constructive and objective work to shape the future,” said IG Windkraft President Josef Plank.