Carinthia grid tariffs set to rise nearly 10 percent

Electricity grid tariffs in Carinthia are set to rise by almost 10 percent next year, even as they are expected to fall on average across Austria, ORF Kärnten reports. Carinthia is already among Austria’s most expensive grid areas.

E-Control board member Alfons Haber attributed the increase to substantial investment in the state’s electricity network and lower volumes of electricity delivered. He said these changes affect tariffs with a delay. A new tariff system is intended to limit cost increases, but the difference between Carinthia and other states is likely to persist for some time.

Haber also pointed to the rapid expansion of solar photovoltaic systems, which has significantly changed the structure of electricity supply across Austria. He said this expansion is not specific to any one state and could bring long-term benefits as the energy transition advances.

Higher electricity use by large industrial companies could eventually ease tariff pressure, Haber said. As businesses switch from fossil fuels to electricity, more energy would flow through the networks, potentially allowing tariffs to be adjusted or reduced. He did not say when customers in Carinthia might see lower tariffs, but said the new system could reduce the pace of increases.