VIENNA, 10 January – RIA Novosti. Energy prices in Austria remained high in November last year, natural gas increased by 109.2% compared to the same period in 2021, but the cost decreased by 0.6% compared to October, according to a survey published by the Austrian Energy Agency on Tuesday (AA) .

The agency said the energy price index, which reflects the cost of all energy sources, “decreased significantly by 2.8 percent compared to October” in November, but showed a “small impact” increase compared to the same indicators in 2021. The index increased by 42.1% in November.

The agency said the pellets used to heat more than 660,000 households in the country fell by 1.6% in November compared to October, but increased by 147.5% compared to the same period in 2021. The price of firewood increased by 1.4% and 82.8%, respectively.

In November, the cost of central heating did not change and the price increase was 61.5% compared to the same period of the previous year. Although the electricity price continued its downward trend that started in September, the rate decreased to 3.7%. The agency noted that this effect is associated with a series of measures introduced by the Austrian government at the end of 2022, aimed at compensating citizens for electricity costs. Compared to the same period of the previous year, the increase in electricity prices in November was only 19.7%.

Diesel prices also decreased slightly by 3.2% in November compared to October, but increased by 37.9% compared to the same period of the previous year.

The Austrian Energy Agency is a scientific expert organization that also implements the air conditioner climate protection initiative on behalf of the Austrian federal government. The agency’s website states that its members are the federal government, all federal states, major companies, interest groups, and scientific organizations in the energy and transportation sectors.