The Austrian network infrastructure plan is an important guide for future energy infrastructure and the expansion of renewable energy
In 2030 and 2040, we in Austria will need significantly more electricity from renewable energy and suitable infrastructure to bring renewable electricity and gas to where they are needed. The Austrian network infrastructure plan provides the necessary framework for this, even if some of the expansion goals need to be improved
Martina Prechtl-Grundnig, Managing Director of Renewable Energy Austria
Vienna (OTS) – According to Renewable Energy Austria (EEÖ), the Austrian network infrastructure plan (ÖNIP) presented today is an important guideline for getting the energy transition in terms of electricity and gas off the ground. Particularly noteworthy are the higher, demand-oriented targets for renewable electricity as well as clear recommendations on the need for expansion in the federal states. “In 2030 and 2040, we in Austria will need significantly more electricity from renewable energy and suitable infrastructure to bring renewable electricity and gas to where they are needed. The Austrian network infrastructure plan provides the necessary framework for this, even if some of the expansion goals need to be improved.”
said Martina Prechtl-Grundnig, managing director of the EEÖ.
The potential for renewable energy from Austria needs suitable infrastructure
The ÖNIP assumes an increased electricity requirement of 90 TWh in 2030 and 121 TWh in 2040. Most recently, electricity consumption was 73 TWh (2022). According to EEÖ, the need for renewable electricity can be completely covered by domestic energy production if the infrastructure is aligned accordingly. Future gas supplies from bio-methane and renewable hydrogen also require forward-looking expansion. Prechtl-Grundnig says: “Converting our energy supply to renewables is a once-in-a-century project. It should not be seen as piecemeal. The expansion of the networks, storage and gas infrastructure must be thought of together from the start and approached based on realistic goals, which is why the ÖNIP is needed.”
ÖNIP as the basis for energy goals of the federal states
By identifying the potential available in the federal states, there is finally more clarity about the state-specific need for action in the expansion of renewable energy and the infrastructure required for this. According to the EEÖ, with the goal of a climate-neutral energy system in 2040, the corresponding potential must be used across all federal states. “The ÖNIP offers a good basis for detailed energy planning in the federal states. We hope that the ÖNIP will also play a beneficial role in the approval process for renewable energy and infrastructure expansion,” said the managing director of the EEÖ. The EEÖ sees the expansion targets for wind power and bio-methane as cautious; there is definitely more potential here.
The Austrian network infrastructure plan specifies where infrastructure must be expanded and converted so that renewable electricity and renewable gases (methane and hydrogen) can be efficiently transported and made available.
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Renewable energy Austria
Judith Brockmann
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