Extension of energy cost subsidy no. 1: pre-registration is expected to start on 29 March 2023

The energy cost subsidy no. 1 already supported energy-intensive companies with the subsidy of the additional costs of electricity, natural gas and fuel in the period from February to September 2022. Due to the continuing sharp increase in energy prices, within the framework of the amendments to the legal basis on 24 February 2023, the funding period for the energy cost subsidy no. 1 has now officially been extended to Q4 2022. Moreover, an energy cost subsidy no. 2 has been newly introduced in order to tackle the additional energy costs in the entire year 2023. You can find detailed information on this in our December newsletter: Christmas present to Austrian (energy-intense) companies by the federal government: Energy cost subsidy will be prolonged and funding criteria expanded! | Deloitte Österreich

It has now been published that a pre-registration for the extension of the energy cost subsidy no. 1 will be from 29 March to 14 April 2023. The application itself is planned in the period from 17 April to 16 June 2023, again via the “aws Fördermanager” and presumably in the form of the first come first served principle. In addition to electricity, natural gas and fuels, heating/cooling (incl. district heating) and steam will now also be considered as eligible energy sources for Q4 2022.

For applications to the energy cost subsidy no. 2, it is planned to have a two phased application process for two periods. The first application for the period January to June 2023 is planned to open in Q3 2023 (August/September), the second application for the period July to December 2023 is planned to open in Q1 2024 (February/March 2024) - subject to the approval and authorization of the EU Commission under state aid regulations. Applications will be handled by means of the aws as responsible funding agency, as it has already been for the energy cost subsidy no.1. In addition to heating/cooling (incl. district heating) and steam in the basic stage, heating oil, heating pellets and wood chips are also to be subsidized.

Further information remains to be seen until a funding guideline is published.