Expert Boltz: Diesel soon 2.50 euros, oil price over 100 dollars
The price of oil rose on Friday to its highest level in four months: for the first time in a while, a barrel costs more than 100 US dollars. The trigger is the situation in the Red Sea. The Houthi militias, allied with Tehran, have largely brought the area around the Bab al-Mandab Strait under their control. In addition to the Strait of Hormuz, which is already largely blocked, this is the second route through which oil from Saudi Arabia is shipped to Asia and Europe.
For households in Austria, this means one thing above all: fuel and energy are becoming more expensive. Former E-Control head Walter Boltz expects energy prices to rise by another 20 to 30 percent. He would not be surprised by liter prices of more than 2 euros for gasoline and 2.50 euros for diesel. The Austria-wide average price for diesel is already at 2.14 euros, and Eurosuper 95 costs 1.91 euros (as of September 10, Ministry of Economic Affairs). The wholesale gas price has risen by around 9 percent to 82.91 euros per megawatt hour within four days. Since the price of electricity is linked to the price of gas, electricity is also likely to become more expensive in the medium term.
Boltz does not see a supply gap: "Concerns about availability are exaggerated," he said on ZiB2. Austria's gas storage facilities are 67.5 percent full, and there is also a strategic reserve of 20 terawatt hours, which would only have to be tapped in the event of a very harsh winter. In Germany, however, fill levels are at 50 percent and below.
What you can do now: Those who commute by car should compare fuel prices using the E-Control fuel price calculator and not wait until the tank is on reserve, as prices are currently changing daily. For electricity and gas contracts, it is worth looking at the term: those with a contract that includes a price guarantee are protected for the time being, whereas contracts with variable tariffs react quickly to wholesale prices. Low-income households should check whether they are eligible for the heating cost subsidy or housing assistance from their federal state; applications are usually processed through the local municipality or the state.