Ruqayyah Snyder
Austria's energy sector is diverse, relying on a mix of renewable and non-renewable sources. The country has made significant strides in renewable energy adoption, with hydro, wind, solar, and bioenergy playing an increasingly important role in its energy mix. In 2023, renewable energy sources accounted for 87% of Austria's electricity generation, with hydro power being the largest contributor, followed by wind and solar. However, Austria also depends on foreign energy supplies, including crude oil and natural gas, with Russia and Norway being key suppliers. The country has set ambitious goals for further increasing its share of renewable energy, aiming for 100% renewable electricity by 2030 and achieving climate neutrality by 2040.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Energy Sources | Hydro, wind, solar, oil, natural gas, coal, bioenergy |
| Electricity Generation from Renewable Sources | 87% in 2023 |
| Target for Electricity Generation from Renewable Sources by 2030 | 100% |
| Electricity Generation from Hydro Power in 2021 | 54% |
| Electricity Generation from Wind Power in 2021 | 15% |
| Electricity Generation from Solar Power in 2021 | 10.5% |
| Electricity Generation from Bioenergy in 2021 | 3.6% |
| Oil Imports in 2022 | 35.4% of energy consumed |
| Natural Gas Imports in 2022 | 16.8% of energy consumed |
| Crude Oil Imports in 2019 | 35.5% of total energy consumption |
| Natural Gas Imports in 2019 | 24.6% of total energy consumption |
| Solid Fossil Fuel Imports in 2019 | 15.4% of total energy consumption |
| Renewable Energy Share of Total Energy Consumption in 2020 | 36.5% |
| Renewable Energy Share of Total Energy Consumption in 2016 | 33.5% |
| Renewable Energy Share of Total Energy Consumption (EU Average in 2019) | 18.9% |
| Energy Sector with Largest Consumption in 2023 | Transport (33.8%) |
| Energy Sector with Largest Consumption in 2020 | Transport (31.9%) |
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What You'll Learn
Hydro, wind, and solar power
Austria has set itself the ambitious target of meeting 100% of its annual electricity needs from renewable energy sources by 2030. To achieve this, an additional 27 terawatt-hours (TWh) of power will need to be generated from renewables. Hydro, wind, and solar power will play a crucial role in this energy transition.
Hydro Power
Hydropower is one of the most widely used means of generating electricity in Austria, with more than 60% of the country's power currently coming from this source. There are around 100 large hydropower stations and thousands of small hydro plants in operation, making use of Austria's mountainous and river-rich landscape. Hydro is the least volatile of all renewable energy sources as it is largely independent of weather conditions and the time of year. However, it is worth noting that hydro power in the summer of 2022 generated less power due to water shortages caused by climate change.
Wind Power
Although Austria is landlocked and hilly, meteorological conditions permit the utilization of wind power. Wind power currently accounts for about 11% of Austria's total electricity output, with rapid growth in recent years. In 2023, Austria had 3,573 megawatts (MW) of wind power capacity, up from 3,105 MW in 2020 and just 1,011 MW in 2010. Some states in Austria have ambitious plans to double their wind power capacity by 2030 by expanding existing wind parks and creating new ones.
Solar Power
Solar energy is also growing in importance in Austria, with 1.4 gigawatts (GW) of solar energy capacity added in 2022. To meet the 2030 renewable energy target, an additional 10.5 GW of solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity will be needed. Austria aims to have 1,000,000 homes fitted with solar panels by 2030, which will contribute significantly to the country's renewable energy goals.
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Oil and gas imports
Austria's energy sector is heavily reliant on imported oil and natural gas. In 2022, imported oil accounted for 35.4% of the country's total energy consumption, while natural gas made up 16.8%. The majority of Austria's crude oil and natural gas imports originate from Russia, with additional sources including Norway and Kazakhstan.
Austria's dependence on foreign energy supplies, particularly fossil fuels, has been a growing concern. Since the closure of domestic coal mines in 2005, the country has been fully reliant on coal imports. This import dependency extends to crude oil as well, with only 5.2% of its demand being met by domestic sources.
To address this issue, Austria has set ambitious goals for renewable energy. The country plans to achieve 100% renewable electricity by 2030, with a focus on hydro, wind, and solar power. In 2023, renewable energy sources, including hydropower, wind, solar, and bioenergy, contributed to 87% of Austria's electricity generation.
Austria's largest electricity company operates around 130 hydropower plants, including storage facilities in the Austrian Alps and run-of-river plants on major rivers. The country also has over 3,000 hydropower plans in operation, contributing significantly to its energy capacity.
To achieve its 2030 target, Austria needs to increase its hydro energy capacity by 1,500 MW. Additionally, the expansion of wind and solar energy sources is crucial, with plans to double wind power capacity and add 10.5 GW of solar PV by 2030.
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Renewable energy targets
Austria has set ambitious renewable energy targets as part of its commitment to reaching climate neutrality by 2040. The country aims to achieve a 100% renewable electricity supply by 2030, with a focus on hydro, wind, and solar energy sources. This target is enshrined in the 2020 Austrian energy plan and the 2021 Renewable Expansion Act, which aims to add 27 TWh of renewable power by 2030.
To meet these targets, Austria has implemented various strategies and policies. The country has over 3,000 hydropower plants in operation, with hydropower accounting for a significant portion of its total power generation in 2021. However, due to water shortages caused by climate change, hydropower generation has decreased in 2022, highlighting the need for additional renewable sources.
Wind energy is the second-largest renewable electricity source in Austria. Between 2022 and 2030, an additional 10.5 GW of solar PV capacity is planned to be added to meet the 2030 renewable target. Some states in Austria have plans to double their wind power capacity by 2030 by expanding existing wind parks and constructing new ones.
Austria also supports the development of biofuels, with a target of a 10% share in the transport sector. The country has made strides in this area, with bioenergy contributing significantly to its total primary energy supply in 2018. Additionally, Austria has committed to building renovation, transitioning from fossil fuels to sustainable heating systems, and electrifying the transport sector to reduce emissions from buildings and transportation, which account for half of its total emissions.
The country's energy policy is guided by three main pillars: security of supply, energy efficiency, and renewables. Austria has consistently complied with the IEA's 90-day oil stock-holding requirement and is actively working towards diversifying its oil and gas suppliers and supply routes.
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Energy efficiency plans
Austria has been actively pursuing renewable energy sources and has set ambitious goals for itself. The country has committed to reaching climate neutrality by 2040, with an intermediate goal of achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2030. To achieve these goals, Austria has implemented several energy efficiency plans and strategies.
One of the key strategies is the "Energy Strategy Austria," introduced in 2010 by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Ministry of Environment. This strategy outlines measures to help implement the EU's 20/20/20 target in Austria. It focuses on increasing the share of renewable energy sources, such as hydropower, wind, and solar power, while reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
The "Renewable Energy Action Plan" is another crucial component of Austria's energy efficiency plans. This action plan aims to achieve a specific target of 34% renewable energy contribution to final energy consumption. By the end of 2016, Austria had almost achieved this goal, with renewables accounting for 33.5% of final energy consumption.
To comply with the EU's Final Energy Efficiency Directive, Austria also developed a national "Energy Efficiency Action Plan." This plan defines savings targets and outlines the measures and tools needed to achieve them. It is designed to be evaluated and revised periodically to ensure progress and adaptability.
Austria has also been investing in the expansion of its renewable energy infrastructure. The country operates around 130 hydropower plants, including storage power plants in the Austrian Alps and run-of-river power plants on its major rivers. Additionally, Austria has been increasing its wind and solar power capacities. In 2022, the country added 1.4 GW of solar energy capacity, and some states have plans to double wind power capacity by 2030.
Furthermore, the Austrian government supports building renovation, encourages switching from fossil fuels to sustainable heating systems, promotes the electrification of transport, and invests in public transport infrastructure. These measures aim to reduce emissions from the building and transport sectors, which account for around half of Austria's total emissions.
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Bioenergy and biomass
Austria has been making efforts to transition to renewable energy sources. In 2023, renewable energy accounted for 87% of Austria's total electricity generation. The country has set a target of achieving 100% renewable electricity supply by 2030.
The use of biomass in Austria is closely linked to the country's agricultural and forestry sectors. Products with the largest biomass footprints include beef, pork, milk, cereal products, paper, and wood fuels. While there is a significant reliance on domestic sources, the global biomass trade has seen a sharp rise in recent decades, leading to concerns about adverse environmental impacts in exporting countries.
In contrast to the regional focus of bioenergy and biomass, the consumption of biomass for food in Austria has a broader reach. While the majority of food biomass still originates from Central Europe, around 7.6% comes from non-EU countries, particularly in the form of livestock feed imports.
Austria's commitment to renewable energy sources, including bioenergy and biomass, is part of its larger goal to reach climate neutrality by 2040. The country is taking steps to increase the resilience and flexibility of its energy networks, optimize demand-side management, and update legal frameworks to facilitate greater consumer participation in the renewable energy transition.
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Frequently asked questions
The main sources of energy in Austria are hydropower, wind, solar, geothermal power, and biomass.
In 2023, renewable energy made up 87% of Austria's total electricity generation.
Verbund AG is Austria's largest electricity provider, covering around 40% of electricity demands in the country and generating 90% of its energy from hydropower.
Austria has set a target to achieve 100% renewable electricity supply by 2030 and to reach climate neutrality by 2040. The country plans to increase its renewable energy capacity, particularly in hydropower, wind, and solar, while also investing in building renovation, sustainable heating systems, and electrification of transport.
