Dec 5, 2025
Austria will use $584 million from state-owned company reserves to reduce energy costs.
Austria's government announced on Thursday plans to invest a 500-million-euro ($584 million) package aimed at lowering energy costs through special allocations and reserves from state-owned enterprises.
The funding will be sourced from 200 million euros in reserves from the real estate operator BIG, another 200 million euros from the energy company Verbund, and 100 million euros from undistributed profits of the holding company OBAG, according to a statement from the economy ministry.
Chancellor Christian Stocker mentioned that the initiative seeks to provide significant relief to households and businesses, though he did not share specific details. This financial package comes ahead of a proposed law intended to lower electricity prices, which is still pending approval. Verbund has already indicated its plans to suggest a special dividend of approximately 400 million euros for 2025 at its annual general meeting, with around 200 million euros of that amount allocated to the government, which owns 51% of the company.
The funding will be sourced from 200 million euros in reserves from the real estate operator BIG, another 200 million euros from the energy company Verbund, and 100 million euros from undistributed profits of the holding company OBAG, according to a statement from the economy ministry.
Chancellor Christian Stocker mentioned that the initiative seeks to provide significant relief to households and businesses, though he did not share specific details. This financial package comes ahead of a proposed law intended to lower electricity prices, which is still pending approval. Verbund has already indicated its plans to suggest a special dividend of approximately 400 million euros for 2025 at its annual general meeting, with around 200 million euros of that amount allocated to the government, which owns 51% of the company.