By the end of 2016, Austria already had fulfilled their EU Renewables Directive goal for the year 2020. By 2016, renewable energies accounted for 33.5% of the final energy consumption in all sectors (heat, electricity, mobility). The renewable energy sector was also accountable for hosting 41,591 jobs (full-time equivalent) and creating a revenue of 7,219 million euros in 2016. 87% of Austria's electricity generation was produced by renewable sources in 2023, the second highest in the EU. However, Austria ranks 6th in total renewable energy consumption (42.9% of gross final energy consumption), as total energy includes electricity, heating/cooling, and transport sectors. Despite this high renewable electricity share, Austria's CO2 emissions intensity was 59 grams per kWh, higher than France's 48 grams per kWh, which relies on nuclear energy as baseload. Austria's electricity mix includes 12% gas, explaining its higher emissions compared to Sweden's 8 grams per kWh - the EU's lowest - achieved through 70% of electricity from hydroelectric (41%) and nuclear (29%) sources.
Government targets
The new Government of Austria set 2017 an ambitious goal. First of all, they want 100% of renewable electricity by 2030 and secondly, proceed the decarbonization of the energy system by 2050. As of 2016, renewable energies account 71.7% in Austria. 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. Overall, realistic goals should be defined, whose implementation and achievement can be underpinned by appropriate measures. It was calculated by the Austrian Energy Agency (AEA) that in order to achieve the target, the annual generation of electricity from renewable energy sources must be increased by up to 35 terawatt hours by 2030. 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). It is not only in the field of electricity, but also to find appropriate measures in the other sectors to achieve the ambitious goals.
Government policy The former coalition government consisting of ÖVP and FPÖ have given environment and energy an important role in the new government program 2017–2022. 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. Related to renewable energies there is a law called the Green Electricity Act. 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. Financing is provided by a pay-as-you-go system through end consumers. In the field of energy and climate policy, Austria has committed itself to achieving various objectives. The most important and relevant to the ENERGY2050 strategy process are:
Emission reduction in sectors which are not subject to emissions trading (e.g. households, services, commerce, transport) by 16% by 2020 compared to 2005. Increasing the share of renewable energies in gross final energy consumption from 23% (2005) to 34% by 2020. Biofuels have a share target of 10% in the transport sector. Reduction of final energy consumption by 9% compared to the trend until 2016. EU policy target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80-95 % by 2050. With regard to innovative energy-related technologies, Austria has the following strategic documents and plans:
Energy Strategy Austria: Introduced in the spring of 2010 by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Ministry of Environment. It contains the energy strategy proposed measure to help implement the 20/20/20 target of the EU in Austria. Renewable Energy Action Plan: An action plan to achieve the 34% target. In essence, it is a concretization of the energy strategy. This goal was almost already achieved by the end of 2016 with and share of 33,5% renewable contributing to the consumption of final energy in Austria. Energy efficiency action plan: For the implementation of the EU Final Energy Efficiency Directive, each Member State had to submit a national action plan by mid-2007. It defines the savings target, the measures and tools to achieve it and needs to be evaluated and revised in 2011 and 2014. Energy and climate protection programs of the federal states and municipalities: Many cities and municipalities have formulated strategies with varying degrees of liability for their respective sphere of influence.
Sources of renewable electricity generation
Hydroelectricity
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