Austria is facing a new increase in gas tariffs, averaging 18.2% starting from 2026, according to the regulatory authority E-Control. This increase comes after record hikes in 2025 and particularly affects the southern part of the country, where tariffs will rise by up to 35% in Carinthia. In contrast, electricity costs will increase modestly by 1.1%, and in five states, they will even decrease. E-Control is introducing, for the first time, a 20% discount for energy consumed between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM, encouraging the use of solar energy.
Gas price increases are not due to high consumption, but rather to maintaining networks for a decreasing number of consumers. Austria is no longer an important corridor for Russian gas, which contributes to financial losses. Authorities promise adjustments to costs to reflect new energy realities, while the electricity sector is rapidly transforming due to the photovoltaic boom.