If the length of the negotiations is a sign of quality, Minister Leonore Gewessler is likely to have presented a very good law on Tuesday. In any case, she was very satisfied with the presentation: “The energy turnaround is starting.” The Renewable Expansion Law (EAG), which is intended to promote the restructuring of the energy industry in Austria, is to be passed in the National Council today. On Tuesday she secured the SP votes necessary for a two-thirds majority.
By the year 2030, the goal is to be achieved that Austria (balance sheet) generates 100 percent of its electricity needs from renewable energy sources such as water, sun or wind. However, this requires an additional 27 terawatt hours, which will have to be built in eight to nine years. For comparison: the current consumption is around 73 TWh.
Almost all electricity customers will have to pay for this effort: one billion euros per year. That was capped at the request of the SP. As is the burden on low-income households. 550,000 households pay little or no knock-out surcharge (maximum 75 euros per year). An average household would have to reckon with costs of 115 euros per year, which would be a fifth more than before.
The SP has also negotiated for Wien Energie that the expansion of district heating and cooling will also receive funding. 80 million euros a year are planned for funding for hydrogen projects.
Funding will also be changed
As planned, the promotion of electricity generation will also be changed. There should be no more fixed feed-in tariffs, but investment grants or a surcharge on the electricity price.
The National Council is due to pass the law today, and the Federal Council will give its blessing next week. The EAG could then come into force soon.
So-called energy communities are allowed, which enable homeowners to help each other out with electricity. However, the large energy companies have prevented the communities from acting as network operators.
There is also agreement on funding for photovoltaic systems. As previously reported, the law provided for the installation of systems on roofs to be forced (“One Million Roofs Program”). There should also be subsidies for plants in open spaces if they are closed landfills and mines as well as military areas.
