The Coal Age: Austria's Historical Fuel Source

Austria has historically consumed a relatively small amount of coal, ranking 52nd in the world for coal consumption. In 2016, the country consumed 3,775,836 tons of coal, 97% of which was imported. In recent years, Austria has been moving away from coal power, becoming only the second European country to eliminate coal entirely from its electricity grid. However, in 2022, Austria returned to coal power, reviving the use of coal-fired power stations to generate electricity as Russia curbed the flow of natural gas to Europe.

Austria is returning to coal to generate power as Russia curbs gas to Europe

The Mellach station provides heat and electricity to Graz, Austria's second-biggest city. After it was closed, Verbund turned the coal station into a centre for researchers looking for ways to safely feed hydrogen fuel onto the power grid. The Austrian government, which pledged 6.6 billion euros to build gas reserves before winter, reiterated plans to impose a "use-it-or-lose-it" law requiring storage owners to fill depots.

Austria's biggest utility company was ordered to prepare its Mellach coal-fired station for operation

Austria consumes 444,814 cubic feet of coal per capita every year, accounting for about 0.3% of the world's total consumption. The country imports 97% of its coal consumption.

Austria's biggest utility company, Verbund, was ordered to prepare its Mellach coal-fired station for operation in June 2022. The plant, 200 kilometres south of Vienna, was shut down two years prior when Austria became the second European country to eliminate coal entirely from its electricity grid. The Mellach station provides heat and electricity to Graz, Austria's second-biggest city.

Austria's main utility, Wien Energie, has announced plans to stop buying Russian gas from 2025. The company is one of the major utilities companies in Austria, alongside Verbund, EVN, and Energie AG. These companies operate large-scale infrastructure networks and use advanced technologies to ensure efficient and reliable delivery of services. They also invest in renewable energy sources to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable development.

Austria's leading electricity company operates around 130 hydropower plants, including highly efficient storage power plants in the Austrian Alps and run-of-river power plants on all the country's major rivers.

The Mellach station provides heat and electricity to Graz, Austria's second-biggest city

Austria is returning to the coal age, reviving the use of the dirtiest fossil fuel to generate power as Russia curbs flows of natural gas to Europe. The Mellach station, which includes a combined-cycle gas-fired plant, provides heat and electricity to Graz, Austria's second-biggest city. The plant, 200 kilometres south of Vienna, was shut down two years ago as Austria became only the second European country to eliminate coal entirely from its electricity grid. However, the Austrian government, which pledged 6.6 billion euros to build gas reserves before winter, has now ordered Verbund AG, Austria's biggest utility and most valuable company, to prepare its mothballed Mellach coal-fired station for operation. After it was closed, Verbund turned the coal station into a centre for researchers looking for ways to safely feed hydrogen fuel onto the power grid.

Austria has eliminated coal power entirely

Austria's elimination of coal power is part of a broader trend of countries phasing out coal. For example, Greece has reduced coal power from 51% in 2014 to 10% in 2022, replacing it with a combination of gas and renewables.

The closure of the Mellach station has had implications for Austria's energy infrastructure. The station provided heat and electricity to Graz, Austria's second-biggest city. In response, Verbund turned the coal station into a centre for researchers exploring ways to safely feed hydrogen fuel onto the power grid. Additionally, the Austrian government pledged 6.6 billion euros to build gas reserves.

Austria is reviving the use of the dirtiest fossil fuel

Austria is reviving the use of coal, the dirtiest fossil fuel, to generate power as Russia curbs flows of natural gas to Europe. Austria's biggest utility company, Verbund AG, was ordered to prepare its Mellach coal-fired station for operation in June 2022. The plant, 200 kilometres south of Vienna, was shut down two years ago when Austria became the second European country to eliminate coal entirely from its electricity grid.

Austria's return to coal is a significant shift, as the country had previously been a leader in phasing out the fuel source. The Mellach station, which includes a combined-cycle gas-fired plant, provides heat and electricity to Graz, Austria's second-biggest city. After it was closed, Verbund turned the coal station into a centre for researchers looking for ways to safely feed hydrogen fuel onto the power grid.

Austria's decision to return to coal highlights the challenges faced by European countries in securing energy supplies amid geopolitical tensions. With Russia reducing natural gas flows to Europe, countries like Austria are forced to reconsider their energy sources. While Austria had previously committed to phasing out coal, the current energy crisis has led to a reversal of this policy.

The use of coal has significant environmental implications, as it is the dirtiest fossil fuel. Coal combustion releases a range of harmful pollutants, including sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, which can have detrimental effects on human health and the environment. Additionally, coal is a major contributor to climate change, as it emits large amounts of carbon dioxide when burned.

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