Image: dualpixel.photography
In order to achieve the climate goals, the energy suppliers play an important role. They are challenged to significantly expand their share of renewable energies at speed.
The Wels-based eww group presented a climate balance for the first time at a press conference on Monday. Together with the international company ClimatePartner, the CO2 footprint of the eww supply products (electricity, district heating, water, waste water, natural gas) was determined for the years 2012, 2019 and 2022.
An average Wels household that has switched from gas to district heating has reduced its carbon footprint by 81 percent. “This year alone we are investing ten million euros in expanding the grid”, said eww board member Florian Niedersüß. In Wels and Thalheim, almost 38,000 people heat with district heating, by 2032 it should be around 47,000.
In the case of electricity, CO2 emissions per kilowatt hour have been reduced by 77.5 percent since 2012, among other things due to the new construction of the Traunleiten power plant. eww-Anlagentechnik installed 1100 photovoltaic systems in the previous year alone. Wels also has a dense network of charging stations, with one charging station for every 1,265 inhabitants.
Climate-friendly measures
Mayor Andreas Rabl (FP), who is also Chairman of the Supervisory Board of eww-AG, emphasized the city’s efforts for a climate-neutral future. “Public buildings are gradually being connected to district heating, including the castle, last year alone we invested 800,000 euros in PV systems, the municipal fleet is being converted to e-mobility, including trucks and commercial vehicles.”
A key point is also the green space offensive in the city of 63,000 with an additional 10,000 trees and the unsealing of five hectares of space for the expansion of the Volksgarten to the Traun.
In addition to expanding district heating, the next steps for eww are to determine and use CO2 savings targets in all areas and to develop a decarbonization strategy for the entire group.
Source: Nachrichten
