Renewable energy in Austria

The renewable energy sector is also accountable for hosting 41,591 jobs (full-time equivalent) and creating a revenue of 7,219 million euros in 2016.

Achieving this goal can only succeed if the necessary organizational and economic framework conditions are also created in order to be able to continue to guarantee the security and the quality of supply.

Since hydropower in Austria is only possible to a limited extent, additional consumption must be covered by wind power and photovoltaic systems.

This massive development of power generation from renewables, also requires a parallel large-scale expansion of electricity grids and in particular the storage capacity.

Decarbonization means a drastic reduction of carbon emissions and the replacement of fossil fuels by renewable energy sources.

This will only be economically and technically possible through linking power, heat and mobility into an integrated energy system (sector coupling).

According to both parties an ambitious climate and energy strategy is needed to ensure that the target of 100% renewable electricity by 2030 will be reached.

The Green Electricity Act regulates the promotion of power generation from wind power, photovoltaics (from 5 kWp), solid, liquid or gaseous biomass, landfill or sewage gas and geothermal energy with feed-in tariffs and hydropower (up to 20 MW) with investment support.

Each year, a fixed quota is available for new contracted renewable energy plants; the level of feed-in tariffs is set by ordinance.

[15] There are high potentials above all in the western Alpine federal states and along the Danube in Upper and Lower Austria.

[17] A research project on Vienna's geothermal potential, "GeoTief Wien", has estimated that the Aderklaaer conglomerate, located 3,000 M beneath the city, could provide sufficient hot water to heat 125.000 households by 2030.

[18] In 2016, 0.02 GWh of electricity (of gross end energy consumption) were delivered by geothermal plants in Austria.