Austria's energy transition: Red III as the key to cheap electricity!

Austria's energy transition: Red III as the key to cheap electricity!

Linz, Österreich - On July 1, 2025, a specialist dialogue of renewable Energie Austria (EEÖ) and the Johannes Kepler University (JKU) took place in Linz, which dealt with the new EU directive Red III. This guideline, which came into force on November 20, 2023, aims to accelerate the energy transition through binding expansion goals for renewable energies and more efficient procedures. As part of the dialogue, it became clear that in Austria there is still a considerable need to catch up on an ambitious implementation at the federal and state level. Martina Prechtl-Grundnig from the EEÖ warned of possible losses in time and the risks of additional brakes when implementing the necessary measures.

The Red III stipulates that the proportion of renewable energies in the gross energy consumption in the EU will be increased from 22% to at least 42.5% by 2030, ideally to 45%. For Austria, this means that the proportion of renewable energies should increase from 36.4% to at least 60% by 2030. Ambitious goals are also set in the building sector: the proportion of renewable energies is to be increased to 49% by 2030. In order to achieve these goals, the federal and state governments have to be cooperated and numerous requirements can already be implemented by the federal states, such as [renewable barge-energie.at] (https://www.erneuerbare-energie.at/presseaus-sendungen/2023/5/red-ii-laut-laut-dachverband-erneuer- Austria-Friebie-schreis-schrie-schreis-schrie-schreis-schrie-schrei-fri-Fie-energy)) emphasized.

core demands on the renewable expansion acceleration law

In order to achieve the goals of Red III, the renewable industry calls for a “law with design”, which is intended to act as a central instrument for the expansion of renewable energies. This renewable expansion acceleration law (EABG) should set binding goals, including the climate neutrality by 2040 and 100% renewable electricity by 2030.

• binding goals for the expansion of renewable energies in every federal state.
• procedural accelerations by a one-stop shop and digital processes.
• Legal and planning security through clear approval standards.
• Mandatory area design for acceleration areas by February 2026.
• Inclusion of all technologies, especially in the area of ​​electricity, heat, storage and networks.

Prof. Dr. Wilhelm Bergthaler compared the situation of Austria with a "paralyzing rabbit" in the race for affordable energy and the lack of legal certainty for expansion in acceleration areas was also discussed. Another central concern is to comply with the EU law possibilities to ensure that the EABG is effectively implemented, as energy.gv.at.

urgency of implementation

In order to close the remaining gap in renewable expansion by 2030, according to estimates, between 34 and 39 terawatt hours of additional expansion are required. This requires immediate political measures. The Red III gives the Member States tools to accelerate the urgently needed changes in energy supply, including the designation of acceleration areas and the simplification of approval procedures.

The results of the specialist dialog are published on the EEÖ website, which is intended to advance the efforts to comprehensive implementation of Red III and the development of an ambitious renewable expansion acceleration law. Only through such a profound transformation can Austria reach the defined climate goals and pave the way towards sustainable energy future. Time is urgent, and effective cooperation between the federal and state governments is essential to meet the social and economic challenges of the energy future.