EAGG design: government is pushing for faster energy transition, but criticism remains!

EAGG design: government is pushing for faster energy transition, but criticism remains!

On September 9, 2025, the Austrian government presented the draft for the Renewable expansion acceleration law (EABG). This law is intended to advance the expansion of renewable energies and sustainably reduce energy costs. Economic Minister Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer (ÖVP) presented the draft together with other State Secretary: inside and a member of the National Council. A central project of the law is to shorten the duration of approval for power lines from six to three years. Here, a single authority should take responsibility to speed up processes.

Despite the positive approaches, the draft is already exposed to violent criticism. In particular, the new expansion goals for wind power are described as inadequate. The Federal Association of Photovoltaics (PV) Austria describes the EAGG design as disappointing. This is mainly due to the fact that the required expansion goals for photovoltaics are far too low in the federal states. PV Austria complains that the requirements would only cover about half of the required solar power by 2030, which requires a lot of 21 terawatt hours.

Criticism of the expansion goals

Furthermore, the lack of determination of ambitious expansion goals for photovoltaics and a binding memory timetable are criticized. According to studies, Austria will need around 5.1 gigawatts by 2030 and even 8.7 gigawatts of battery storage by 2040. With a current expansion of only 1.1 gigawatts, the desired goals are not only ambitious, but urgently required.

Another problem is the recently made distribution of responsibility to the federal states with regard to the designation of acceleration areas for renewable projects. While some federal states such as Burgenland, Upper Austria, Lower Austria and Salzburg want to keep their own specifications this year, there is a lack of a uniform regulation that ensures the necessary progress.

Questions about climate neutrality

A central aspect that is missing in the current draft law is a binding goal of climate neutrality by 2040. Critics also require extensive improvements in the EAGG to secure the competitiveness of photovoltaics and its integration into the renewable energy goals. The quality of the statements that can be submitted in the six -week assessment will be crucial for the extent to which the draft is revised.

In the run -up to the current draft, the Electricity Administration Act (ELWG) already caused unrest in the industry; Over 550 critical statements were made at the time. Critics also express concerns about planned caps and non -transparent price change clauses. However, the uniform regulation for the approval of photovoltaic systems and battery storage is highlighted.

Hattmannsdorfer has also stated that exceptions to network usage fees for certain small PV systems that are intended for self-consumption are intended. This could represent an incentive for private investments in solar energy and thus contribute to achieving long -term goals that are also sought at European level.

In summary, it can be stated that renewable energies will play a decisive role in future energy supply. The current draft law is a step in the right direction, but urgently needs improvements and more ambitious requirements. In view of the challenges in the area of ​​climate and energy policy, Austria must ensure that it not only meets the EU requirements, but also remains competitive in an international comparison.

For further information about the progress in renewable energy policy in Germany that could affect Austria, the data of the Federal Ministry of Economics of relevance.