The largest photovoltaic park in Styria is now being built in Dobl-Zwaring near Graz. Starting next year, this will provide green electricity for more than 6,000 households in the Graz-surroundings district. Over 22 million kilowatt hours of solar power are produced annually on an area of around 20 hectares. This means CO2 emissions can be saved by more than 6,300 tons per year. Dual agricultural use with sheep farming is part of the PV park. Energie Steiermark is investing around 13 million euros in this project with its partner company Enery. The state’s climate goals envisage quadrupling photovoltaic production in Styria by 2030. This project brings us a lot closer to this goal.
“We connected more than 15,000 new PV systems to our network last year alone, doubling the boom from 2022,” said the board duo Christian Purrer and Martin Graf“In total, we fed in more than 340 megawatts of additional solar power in 2023 – this corresponds to the output of 18 medium-sized Mur power plants. With almost 50,000 systems, we are now among the top 3 solar energy federal states in Austria!” However, dual agricultural use is particularly important to us when it comes to open-space systems – like here in Dobl.”
“By 2030, Energie Steiermark will invest more than EUR 1.5 billion in the conversion and expansion of the Styrian network infrastructure, and more than EUR 600 million will flow into the expansion of renewable energy – photovoltaics is an extremely important aspect of this. Our solar power offensive plans to install 300 megawatts of power in the coming years. This means that a total of over 100,000 households could be supplied exclusively by the sun,” she said Boards of Directors“However, the challenge for network expansion is enormous.”
In parallel to the construction of photovoltaic systems on open spaces, Energie Steiermark is doing everything it can to make full use of the potential of existing roof areas, both on private houses and on industrial and commercial premises, as well as in agriculture.
Richard König, CEO Enery Development is pleased about the partnership-based cooperation: “We have been developing the Dobl Agro-PV project since 2020 and are now looking forward to putting the project into construction together with our cooperation partner Energie Steiermark. Styrian industry and Styrian households will need a lot more green electricity as part of the electrification of our economy and our everyday lives and we look forward to many more joint projects in my home state. I would like to thank the entire Energie Steiermark team, the municipality of Dobl, the property owners and the authorities for the excellent cooperation.”
State Governor Christopher Drexler: “Energy independence, security of supply and climate protection – that’s what the path to the white-green energy transition is all about. The start of construction of the largest photovoltaic system in Styria is another important milestone on this path. It is particularly important to us to ensure that the energy supply for Styrians is safe and sustainable. We want to create the Styrian energy transition and energy independence and will continue to take extensive measures – because it is about the security of supply for Styrians. Because we have a clear goal in mind in this state government: Styria should be a model region that combines climate protection, prosperity and economic dynamism.”
Federal Councilor Horst Schachner (former LH deputy Anton Lang): Green energy projects are very important for the state of Styria, which is particularly evident in the current climate and energy strategy 2030 Plus. Increasing the share of renewable energies plays a key role in this strategy. In this way, we ensure a sustainable energy supply and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. The Dobl-Zwaring Photovoltaic Park project therefore fits perfectly with the climate goals of the state of Styria. The state of Styria is taking a variety of measures. This includes the Styrian climate fund, which is endowed with 40 million euros, and in particular the renovation and energy efficiency program for the state-owned properties, into which a further 47.3 million have flowed. The Styrian Climate Cabinet recently took stock and listed 114 projects against climate change and for the energy transition. The almost 90 million euros mentioned will go into investments in the state administration, in the Styrian communities and in innovative and strategic projects throughout Styria. The photovoltaic park here in Dobl-Zwaring is an important step towards making Styria future-proof and livable for future generations.”
The project is receiving positive feedback in the community of Dobl-Zwaring. “We are convinced that the photovoltaic park is an extremely forward-looking solution for our community, for the climate and the future of our children. With the Dobl PV Park as the largest PV park in Styria, a total of renewable electricity will be generated for over 6,000 households from 2025 onwards,” says the mayor of Dobl-Zwaring, Waltraud Walch out of. “In addition, with this project only partially sealed areas, there will also be dual agricultural use with sheep farming,” added Vice Mayor Ernst Gödl.
Inquiry note:
Mag. (FH) Urs Harnik-Lauris
Head of Corporate Communications, Head of Corporate Communications
Energie Steiermark AG
Leonhardgürtel 10, A-8010 Graz
Tel.: +43-316-9000-5926 Car: +43-664-1801780
Mail: urs.harnik-lauris@e-steiermark.com
Homepage: www.e-steiermark.com