The ÖNIP, which is the German abbreviation for Austrian Integrated Grid Development Plan (visit https://www.bmk.gv.at/themen/energie/energieversorgung/netzinfrastrukturplan.html for more details) is an important element for a sustainable and secure energy system of the future. The ÖNIP clearly illustrates the need for an overarching coordination of all efforts to ensure the success of the energy transition. The aim of the ÖNIP is to provide a clear, cross-sector picture of the capacity requirements for the future Austrian energy system which is to be decarbonized by 2040.
APG expressly welcomes the publication of the ÖNIP by the Austrian Federal Ministry on Climate Action, Environment, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK) as it implements the legal obligation to carry out a system-wide, cross-sector analysis of the energy flows that are to be expected in the future, including their capacity requirements. The presented ÖNIP defines clear principles and provides a general framework for future approval procedures. In addition, it confirms the indispensable necessity of APG’s grid development measures until 2034 for the energy industry and thus puts them beyond dispute in future approval procedures, which also confirms the public interest of all APG investment projects. However, it will also be important to further accelerate the process of project implementation by improving the framework conditions.
"The energy transition is a mammoth task that can only be achieved with overall system planning throughout Austria. APG has been calling for this for years: because only then will it be possible to re-orient, plan and build an electricity grid which meets the future requirements of a sustainable energy system bearing in mind the new circumstances. The current electricity grid cannot fulfil the capacity requirements of the future. We are already seeing every day that the lack of coordination in implementing the energy transition is leading to undesirable and cost-intensive erroneous developments. This is reflected in the massive need of redispatch measures, delayed integration of renewables and a lack of availability of low-cost electricity in Austria," says Gerhard Christiner, Chief Technical Officer of APG.
With the ÖNIP, the next necessary step towards system-wide, coordinated and detailed planning at all levels of the energy system (production, electricity and gas infrastructure, energy storage, mobility, digital platforms for the integration of all players in the energy system) has been taken. APG is already taking all these aspects into account in its own planning processes and ensuring the necessary coordination of all efforts. "Only with a high-capacity grid infrastructure can we facilitate a secure energy transition, achieve Austria's climate and energy targets and provide Austria as a business location with access to affordable electricity," says Christiner.
Framework conditions crucial for grid expansion
"The current electricity grid is not yet equipped for the challenges of a climate-neutral energy future. Our investment scheme of nine billion euros by 2034 is a first step - but the expansion requirements by 2040 will be many times greater. For these investments to be effective, we need a change in the framework conditions, acceptance of electricity infrastructure at all levels of society and coordinated implementation of all projects relevant to the energy industry. Only in this way can the energy transition take place in a secure and cost-efficient manner," says Thomas Karall, Chief Financial Officer of APG.
APG is calling for the expansion of the grid infrastructure to be given top priority and is once again reinforcing its call for the implementation of its five-point program for a secure energy transition:
- Secure funding through a modern regulatory system
- Fast-track approvals for the expansion of the transmission grid – adoption of the new Electricity Industry Act (ElWG) and Renewable Expansion Acceleration Act (EABG)
- Coordinated overall system planning and project implementation (storage, grid, production, reserves, use of state-of-the-art digital platform technologies)
- Protection of planned and existing line routes
- Providing the authorities with sufficient resources
The legislative initiatives currently being prepared aiming at the recodification of the Austrian electricity law, i.e. the Electricity Industry Act (ElWG), and the procedural acceleration instruments that will be implemented through the Renewable Energy Expansion Acceleration Act (EABG) are essential building blocks for achieving these goals. The immediate adoption of these laws is a prerequisite for the rapid implementation of the ÖNIP in imminent projects. If this does not happen, infrastructure projects will be further delayed, which jeopardizes Austria and Europe as a business location. Karall: "Since the liberalization of the electricity market, we are witnessing a phase of massive changes in the energy industry. The countries that are able to cope with the enormous challenges quickly and best will be able to offer huge advantages as location for businesses, industry, and society in the future. That is why we are calling for the necessary legislation - the ElWG and EABG - to be passed without delay."
Only if the legal and economic framework conditions for investments in the grids can be fundamentally improved can a supply-secure energy transition be facilitated and renewables integrated. Without a high-capacity electricity infrastructure, all investments in other areas of the energy system will be ineffective. This must be avoided for energy industry and economic reasons in the interests of Austria as a successful location for business enterprises and place to live.
About Austrian Power Grid (APG)
As independent transmission system operator Austrian Power Grid (APG) is in charge of ensuring the security of electricity supply in Austria. With our high-performance and digital electricity infrastructure and the use of state-of-the-art technologies we integrate renewable energies, we are the platform for the electricity market, and we provide access to reasonably priced electricity for Austria’s consumers and thus create the basis for Austria as supply-secure and future-oriented industrial and business location and place to live. The APG grid totals a length of about 3,500 km and is operated, maintained and continuously adapted to the increasing challenges of the electrification of businesses, industry and society by a team of approximately 850 specialists. 67 substations are distributed all over Austria and the majority is operated remotely from APG’s control center in Vienna’s 10th district. Thanks to our committed employees Austria had a security of supply of 99.99 percent also in 2023 and thus ranks among the top countries worldwide. Our investments of 445 million euros in 2024 (2023: 490 million euros, 2022: 370 million euros) are a motor for the Austrian economy and a crucial factor in reaching Austria’s climate and energy targets. Until 2034 APG will invest a total of approximately 9 billion euros in grid expansion and renovation projects.
