Austrian Power Grid Welcomes Plans for an EIA Amendment

Today, the Austrian federal government agreed on the main features of an EIA amendment and a new "Renewable Energy Expansion Acceleration Act" in the course of its closed meeting. This includes, among other things, the acceleration of approval procedures, an expansion boost for photovoltaic plants and the expansion of biogas production in Austria. 

APG emphasizes importance of a real acceleration of procedures

Gerhard Christiner, CTO of Austrian Power Grid (APG): "We welcome the efforts of the federal government to create simplification and acceleration instruments in order to advance projects in line with the energy transition. This must also include grid infrastructure projects, which play a tremendously important role and are key when it comes to the integration of renewables.

Only with a real, or rather, effective acceleration of procedures for all projects (grids, storage facilities, renewables) facilitating the energy transition while at the same time ensuring the security of supply, the transition can really happen in a timely manner.

In addition, APG deems it necessary to "establish a predominantly public interest" for all energy transition projects, and thus also for power grids, as envisaged at EU level, as well as to amend the Austrian General Administrative Procedure Act (AVG).

No energy transition without high-capacity power grids, further measures necessary

Considered over an entire year, Austria is to be completely supplied with electricity from renewable energy sources from 2030 onwards. To achieve this, it is necessary to increase electricity production from renewables by about 50 percent or 27 terawatt hours (TWh) per year. "The switch to one hundred percent electricity from sustainable energy is the order of the day: issues in this context are Austria's and Europe's independence from fossil energy sources, the availability of low-priced electricity and combating the climate crisis. In addition to speeding up approval procedures, this requires coordinated overall system planning, the protection of all planned and existing power lines, secure financing through a modern regulatory system that promotes investment, and adequate resources for the authorities to carry out their tasks. With our 3.5 billion euro investment program in the electricity infrastructure, we are making our contribution to adapting the grid to the capacity requirements of the future," says Thomas Karall, CFO of APG.

One thing is clear: a successful energy transition without jeopardizing the security of supply will only be possible if, in addition to the expansion of renewable sources, the grid infrastructure is also expanded in a timely manner. "The grid infrastructure is the prerequisite for the success of the energy transition," Christiner concludes. 
However, a more detailed analysis of the effectiveness of the legislative projects depends on the availability of the actual text of the laws.

About Austrian Power Grid (APG)

Austrian Power Grid (APG) is Austria’s independent transmission system operator in charge of monitoring and managing the nationwide transmission network. Its infrastructure ensures the electricity supply in Austria and is thus the lifeline of the country, its population and its businesses. The APG grid totals a length of about 3,400 km and is operated, maintained and continuously adapted to the increasing challenges of economy and society by a team of more than 700 specialists. The capacities of the APG grid and the use of state-of-the-art technologies are the precondition for a sustainable and secure power supply in Austria, for reaching the climate and energy targets and for the increasing electrification of our society, businesses and industry. With our digital platforms we make their flexibilities available for the electricity management. APG’s staff develop suitable market products, have an excellent knowledge of physics and ensure the security and efficiency of supply for Austria. Until 2032 APG will invest a total of approximately 3.5 billion euros in grid expansion and renovation projects, which amounts to approximately 19 percent of the total of 18 billion euros which the energy industry will invest in the grid infrastructure over the next ten years. In the Sustainable Brand Rating 2022 APG has been voted number one in the category ‘public utility infrastructure’ for the third consecutive time.