Schroll: Ex-Minister of Guessler blocked important energy laws!

Schroll: Ex-Minister of Guessler blocked important energy laws!

In the current political debate about Austrian energy policy, there is a sharp criticism of the former Minister of Climate Protection, Leonore Gewessler. SPÖ energy spokesman Alois Schroll is targeting the ex-minister and accuses her of not advancing central laws such as the Klimgersetz, the Electricity Economic Act (ELWG) and the Renewable expansion acceleration law (EABG). These laws have not been negotiated for years, which, according to Schroll, led to a budget disaster that must now be corrected urgently. He emphasizes that existing EU guidelines in Austria have not been implemented properly. With regard to the government, he emphasizes that a double budget was negotiated within two months, which is intended to serve as the basis for future energy policy.

An important concern of the SPÖ is to accelerate renewable energies. Schroll therefore calls for a constructive participation of the opposition to this energy policy in order to achieve the goals set.

relevant legal framework conditions

Austrian energy law, which, among other things, regulates energy supply and promotes the expansion of renewable energies, plays a key role in this discussion. The Energy law focuses on efficiency increase, consumer protection and security of care. Several central laws are currently being planned. The Electricity Economic Act is to modernize the electricity market by summer 2025 and replace the outdated Elwog. In addition, the Renewable Expansion Act (EAG) is viewed as the basis for the expansion of renewable energies and has ambitious goals: by 2030 the power supply is to be increased to 27 TWh of renewable energies.

• 11 TWH Photovoltaic
• 10 TWH wind power
• 5 TWH hydropower
• 1 TWH Biomass

Another important law in the pipeline is the Ernervaufauchlegungengesetz , which should accelerate the approval process for important energy infrastructure projects. This could be crucial to drive the energy transition in Austria quickly.

goals and monitoring

Austria has set itself the goal of covering the power supply to 100 % of renewable energy sources by 2030. The defined goal and the contents of the Ökostromgesetzes and EAG were further strengthened in 2021 by the recent amendments. In accordance with the requirements, the law provides investment grants and market premiums in order to make the costs of renewable energy competitive to fossil energy sources.

The e-control is responsible for creating a monitoring report every year about the achievement of the target by 2030. This report is presented to the National Council and is intended to create transparency regarding the progress in the area of ​​renewable energies. The last report analyzes 2022, while the Federal Minister of Climate Protection has to present an evaluation report by December 2024 that summarizes the current developments.

The current political debates and the upcoming legal measures are therefore characterized by increased engagement to promote renewable energies. It remains to be seen to what extent the announced changes and the reform pressure can be implemented by the new government.