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Photovoltaics will play an important role in achieving the climate and energy goals in the electricity sector, according to the joint paper. Based on the Austrian climate strategy, an additional 11 TWh should come from PV systems by 2030. The environmental organizations and the association are calling for a “nationwide photovoltaic master plan” as a binding standard for spatial planning and land use in federal states and municipalities. The federal government’s expansion goals in the federal states must be regulated in a binding and nature-friendly manner and the different regulations must be harmonized.
“We need a master plan for the energy transition,” said Verbund boss Michael Strugl. “In order for ground-mounted PV systems to be implemented quickly and at the most suitable locations, good planning, clear criteria and efficient approval procedures are required in advance.” WWF Austria calls for the mandatory use of solar energy in all new buildings and extensive renovations as well as on areas that have already been sealed. “We have to massively expand photovoltaics in order to achieve the climate goals. The best possible solution for this is expansion on roofs and built-up areas. The potential for this is huge because Austria has so far only exploited a few percent of the full solar power potential,” says WWF- Energy spokesman Karl Schellmann. For the planned use of open spaces, suitability and exclusion zones must be anchored in accordance with nationwide nature conservation criteria.
“The federal government has set itself the goal of generating 100 percent of electricity in Austria from renewable energies by 2030. In order for this to really work, we have to exploit all nature-friendly potential for renewable energy generation. The fact that areas that are already sealed can be put to good use here “But the dual use of agricultural land – i.e. agri-PV – also offers an opportunity to combine the energy transition with our agriculture,” says Viktoria Auer, climate and energy spokeswoman for GLOBAL 2000. Are PV systems built on agricultural land , dual use should therefore be a funding requirement.
No construction in nature reserves
What is important for environmental organizations and the energy company is a clear framework for nature conservation. Open spaces in national parks and wilderness areas as well as in nature reserves (as defined in state law) should therefore be excluded from development. There should also be consideration zones such as Natura 2000 or UNESCO biosphere parks in which PV systems can be built on partial areas after a successful nature impact assessment. At the same time, there should be suitability zones that are suitable for open-space systems after testing according to uniform nationwide criteria (e.g. network technology, environmental and nature conservation criteria). There, areas must be dedicated to PV to such an extent that the federal government’s goals can be achieved together with the expansion to roof areas and built-up areas.
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