Austria International Utilities Industry News

Austrian Government has Agreed on Electricity Price Brake

The Austrian federal government has agreed on the long-discussed "electricity price brake" to cushion the high cost of energy. According to information from the federal government, each household will pay a lower electricity price for that share of electricity consumption which corresponds to 80 percent of the average consumption of an Austrian household in the previous year.

September 7, 2022

IAEA Will Maintain a Continued Presence at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant

Experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) began inspecting Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya nuclear power. As IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said on Twitter, some of his colleagues will stay at the power plant site for several days and establish a continued IAEA presence.

September 1, 2022

Austria's President Van der Bellen Brings in Experts on Energy and Climate Issues as Advisors

Ex-Verbund boss Wolfgang Anzengruber and Wifo economist Angela Köppl are volunteering their expertise to Austrian President Van der Bellen. According to the Federal President's Office, the war in Ukraine and inflation, as well as the slowly emerging energy crisis in Europe, call for expert advice on energy economics and climate issues.

August 31, 2022

Crisis Around Viennese Energy Supply Company "Wien Energie"

Austria's largest energy supplier urgently needs money to hedge forward transactions. Otherwise, the company would have to realize huge losses.

August 30, 2022

IAEA Finally Sends Assistance Mission to Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power

After months of negotiations and back and forth, the IAEA Support and Assistance Mission to the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine is finally setting off from Vienna. The mission itself is headed by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi and the Agency is proud of the diplomatic success.

August 29, 2022

Austrian Chancellor Nehammer Calls for EU-27 to Stand Together for European Electricity Price Cap

Given the sharp rise in energy prices, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer is calling for a European electricity price cap to "finally" put a stop to "this madness that is currently taking place on the energy markets. According to Nehammer. this is only possible through a European solution.

August 29, 2022

Iran Nuclear Talks: Iran Can Build Nuclear Bomb, But Does Not Intend to Do So

Iran says it is technically capable of producing a nuclear bomb. But the country does not intend to do so, the semi-official Fars news agency quoted the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Agency, Mohammed Eslami.

August 1, 2022

Earth Overshoot Day: World has Already Used Up Resources

The Earth's natural resources for this year will have been depleted by tomorrow. By tomorrow, ecosystems would need about a year to replenish their resources. According to the Global Footprint Network, which is based in the United States and Switzerland, Earth Overshoot Day is slightly earlier this year than last.

July 27, 2022

Austria Goes Back to Coal Power

The Mellach heating power plant in Styria, which is currently shut down, is to be converted so that electricity and heat can be generated there again from coal in an emergency. This was confirmed by Austria's Chancellor Nehammer.

June 20, 2022

Ukraine Nuclear Power Plants Still Under Control of Russian Forces But Safety Systems Fully Functional IAEA Says

Ukraine's Nuclear Power Plants Zaporizhzhya and Chernobyl are still under Russian control, but regulator said, that the Ukrainian staff continued to operate the plants. In the case of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, staff have not been able to rotate for more than three weeks.

March 18, 2022

Inflation in Austria: Government Approves Relief Package to Deal with Rising Energy Prices

Chancellor Nehammer and Vice-Chancellor Kogler held a summit with energy suppliers and assembled a relief package to help combat inflation. Learn what's in the relief package and who will benefit from it.

January 28, 2022

Climate Crisis: Vienna Joins "Race to Zero" Campaign

At the World Climate Conference (COP 26) in Glasgow, Vienna has announced that it is joining the "Race to Zero" campaign, which aims to cut emissions in half by 2030 and create a carbon-free world. Read about Vienna's new climate change commitment.

November 8, 2021

Arab Ambassadors in Vienna and Economic Relations between their Countries and Austria

The Ambassadors from Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Tunisia, and the UAE to Austria provided an economic overview of their countries and their relationship with Austria in an online forum with the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC).

July 11, 2021

Vienna Stock Exchange: EVN Replaces Telekom Austria in ATX

The semi-annual review of the Austrian leading index ATX has shown a change in the composition. EVN AG will replace Telekom Austria AG. Furthermore, voestalpine AG is included in the ATX five, which comprises the five largest listed companies, instead of Raiffeisen Bank International AG.

March 3, 2021

WKO and IV: Need for "Climate Protection with Common Sense"

The heads of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Commerce (WKO) and the Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) demand appropriate framework conditions for climate-friendly behavior instead of the race for ever higher climate targets. Both Secretary Generals want "climate protection with common sense".

December 10, 2020

Increase of Budget for Investment Subsidies to EUR 2 Billion

The Austrian Government has announced a budget increase for investment subsidies. A high demand and investment volume in the first three weeks of the application period has lead to this decision that is welcomed by the Federal Chamber of Commerce.

September 23, 2020

Foreign Trade Has Partially Recovered from Crisis

According to the latest report from Statistics Austria, imports and exports are only slightly behind last year's number indicating an upwards trend after Covid-19 has impacted foreign trade significantly.

September 8, 2020

WKO Secretary General: Labor Market Situation Improves, But Remains Great Challenge

The secretary general of Austria's Federal Chamber of Commerce WKO recognizes a slightly positive trend in the labor market but underlines the importance of ongoing and future economic measures.

September 7, 2020

Economic Sentiment in Austria and the EU Brightened Further in August

Businesses and the population of the EU still have below-average economic sentiment although the expectations improved over the last month. The sharp decline due to Covid-19 is made up by about 60 % already.

August 31, 2020

Vienna Based UNIDO Holds Expert Panel to Discuss Developments in Industry and Society

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization hosted an expert panel about the future of industry and society. Main topics were the advancement of attaining the sustainable development goals and shaping society as a whole.

August 21, 2020

Schwarzenegger in Vienna: Kick-off for Climate Conference

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Federal Chancellor Kurz stress the need for effective climate protection.

January 29, 2020

Vienna Energy Forum 2020 as a Hub for Innovative and Sustainable Energy Solutions

During high-level talks at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 25), Maria Patek, Austria's Federal Minister for Sustainability and Tourism, announced the hosting of the Vienna Energy Forum (VEF) 2020.

December 11, 2019

Further Increase in Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Austria

Environmental control report calls for increased investment in climate-neutral economy and society. Climate neutrality requires change in the economy and society.

October 16, 2019

Largest Austrian Listed Companies: Verbund Replaces Andritz in ATX five

The semi-annual review of the Austrian leading index ATX shows no change in the composition. However, Verbund AG is moving into the ATX five, which comprises the five largest listed companies, instead of Andritz AG from Styria, according to the Vienna Stock Exchange in a press release.

September 4, 2019

What Does Vienna Have in Common with the New Silk Road?

In order to ensure sustainable development, the cities along the New Silk Road also have to face major infrastructural and social challenges, as well as climate-ecological challenges. More than 1000 participants from more than 178 cities are expected in September in the Vienna International Center for UNIDO's Bridge for Cities Conference as part of the Belt & Road Initiative.

August 12, 2019

High-Level Forum Africa-Europe - EIB Signs 3 Africa Projects Totalling Half a Billion Euros

At the Africa‑Europe High‑Level Forum in Vienna the European Investment Bank formally agreed a total of EUR 495 million of new financing for three projects in ten countries to support sustainable transport, clean energy and internet access projects in North, West and East Africa.

December 19, 2018

Austro-Arab Energy Community Meets in Vienna to Discuss International Cooperation

The 10th Arab-Austrian Economic Forum & Exhibition took place in Vienna yesterday, organized by the AACC Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with the City of Vienna and the Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RECREEE). Under the general theme "Energy Transition - Urban Technology and Sustainable Cities", New Opportunities for International Cooperation and Partnerships, representatives from EU institutions, international organizations, funds, European and international financial institutions as well as ministers and high-ranking personalities from the Arab economy met representatives of the local economy, politics and business community. Participants included Nabil R. Kuzbari, Richard Schenz, Michael Ludwig, Omar Al-Rawi, Mahdi Allak, Johannes Peterlik, Samir Koubaa, Michael Esterl and Li Yong.

October 2, 2018

Vienna Energy Forum and the R20 Austrian World Summit 2018: Feedback of a Participant

At the Vienna Energy Forum and the R20 Austrian World Summit recently held in Vienna, Beatriz Mayor of IIASA - International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis also participated, who shares her interesting insights as follows.

June 6, 2018

Top Energy Events Put Vienna in the Focus of the Global Clean Energy Economy

The Vienna Energy Forum 2018 in May in Vienna brings together a multitude of people and institutions to discuss and solve the key questions of the present on the topic of energy. Among them are heads of state, ministers, energy experts, representatives of international and non-governmental organizations, academia, civil society and the private sector. The PFAN Climate and Clean Energy Investment Forum and the R20 Austria World Summit are also part of this huge event. This event, sponsored by Arnold Schwarzenegger, is a high-level summit about leadership on implementing the Paris Climate Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

April 19, 2018

Andritz Receives 90 Million Euros Order for Power Plant Renewal in Canada

The listed technology group Andritz has landed a major order for the renovation of a hydroelectric power station in Canada. "The order value is over 90 million euros," said Andritz by press release. The Styrian company will therefore renew six of the eight turbine units of a power plant in the province of Saskatchewan for the Canadian electricity supplier SaskPower.

October 31, 2017

OSCE: "Reliable, Affordable and Sustainable Energy Supplies are Prerequisite for Stability and Security"

Energy experts from the OSCE Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation, representing both government institutions and private sector companies, will begin a week-long field study of sustainable energy in Austria and Germany.

July 12, 2016

US Company Contour Moves European Headquarters from Paris to Vienna

The Vienna-based European headquarters will be the strategic centre for all thermal and renewable energy facilities in Austria, Italy, Czech Republic, Romania, Poland, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Armenia, Spain, Northern Ireland and Ukraine.

December 11, 2015

Strabag Builds EUR 37 Million Power Plant in Switzerland

Strabag AG is building the Rhone Oberwald run-of-the-river hydroelectric plant in the Swiss canton of Valais. The contract value of € 37 million comprises the construction of the necessary tunnels, galleries and underground chambers.

June 5, 2015

Verbund Raises Earnings Forecast and Dividend for 2014

Verbund AG announced today that the earnings forecast for financial year 2014 is being raised. Verbund expects EBITDA of around €800m (previous forecast: €770m) and a Group result of around €125m (previous forecast: €85m) in financial year 2014. The planned dividend continues to be based on a payout ratio of approximately 50% of the adjusted group result which in 2014 will be around €210m (previous forecast: €190m).

January 22, 2015

Verbund Withdraws from Bulgaria

Verbund withdraws from Bulgaria by selling its 16 MW wind farm on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast to Inwind Sp Ltd, a project company of Bulgarian Inovent Holding AD. The transaction is scheduled to close by the end of 2014. Both companies agreed on not disclosing any financial details of the transaction.

October 30, 2014

Fischer: Room for Further Trade with Albania

Austrian President Heinz Fischer was paying a visit to Western Balkan States.

May 22, 2014

Austrian Prinzhorn Holding to Invest Massively in Hungary

Prinzhorn Holding will build its own power plant in Hungary to supply its paper factory in Dunaujvaros.

May 21, 2014

Czech Republic: CEZ Losing With RWE Contract?

A gas contract with German RWE is causing the Czech energy group losses in the billions.

May 12, 2014

Czech Republic: Rosatom to Complete Temelin?

Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom presented an offer to complete the units of the Czech nuclear power plant Temelin.

May 12, 2014

CEZ Bulgaria in “Full Compliance with the Law”

CEZ, along with other foreign utilities in Bulgaria, does not regard itself being obliged to pay a certain amount to state-controlled utility NEK.

May 9, 2014

Verbund: Trying to Get Rid of Sorgenia

The Austrian utility Verbund announced not being willing to invest any further money into loss-making Italian energy group Sorgenia.

May 8, 2014

Austria: “Council of the Wise“ for Hypo Group

Instead of a parliamentary investigation committee the coalition expressed its wish to appoint a “Council of the Wise” for the the assessment of the ailing bank’s nationalization.

February 25, 2014

Czech Republic: New Government Confirmed

Seven weeks after the national elections, the Czech Social Democrats (CSSD) have agreed to form a coalition with ANO and the Christian Democrats (KDU-CSL).

December 11, 2013

Poland Leads Ranking of Top Enterprises in CEE

Credit insurance company Coface has for the fifth time published a study about the Top 500 enterprises in Central and Eastern Europe.

September 24, 2013

Poland: Warsaw Stock Exchange to Introduce WIG30

The new index covers thirty enterprises instead of formerly twenty and reduced the dominance of the banking industry.

September 23, 2013

Electricy Thieves Caused Losses for EVN in Bulgaria.

Austrian energy provider EVN lost € 800,000 because of electricity thieves.

August 27, 2013

Slovenia: Decrease of Net Electricity

In the seven months of 2013, Slovenia's total consumption of electricity decreased for less than 1% over the same period one year ago.

August 27, 2013

Czech Republic: New Elections Expected At the End of October

Prime Minister Petr Necas’ resignation leads to new elections soon. The Social Democrats, who want to introduce the Euro, are potential winners.

August 16, 2013

EVN: Transfer of Shares

EVN carries out and terminates release of own shares to employees.

August 8, 2013

Austria: Verbund to Take Austerity Measures

Only a few months ago, CEO of Verbund Wolfgang Anzengruber promised that “2013 will become the best year in the company’s history”. However, there have been bad news for the energy company ever since.

August 1, 2013