Reform package: Faster permits should boost economics!

Reform package: Faster permits should boost economics!

The Austrian government presented a comprehensive reform package to the summer Minister Council that aims to significantly accelerate the approval procedures for infrastructure projects. The core of this package include the renewable expansion acceleration law (EABG) as well as reforms of the environmental impact assessment law (UVP-G) and the General Administrative Procedure Act (AVG). Leadersnet reports that… The reforms should not only increase the speed and efficiency of the procedures, but also improve clarity for those involved.

Minister Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer emphasized the need to reduce bureaucracy and optimize the approval processes. One central goal is to establish the principle of "an authority, a procedure, a decision" for strategic projects in the future. Peter Hanke, another minister in the government, described the start of the "process turbos" as a milestone for infrastructure development.

approval procedure in the focus

A study shows that the average duration of approval procedures in 2023 was 11.7 months, whereby the period from the application until the decision was even 25.4 months. For UVP procedures, 8.9 months were estimated in 2024 from completeness of the documents. Long approval processes represent a significant hurdle for investments, which concerns both small and medium -sized companies (SMEMS) and large companies.

The reforms are carried out while maintaining important environmental standards and the rule of law. Jochen Danninger from the Austria Chamber of Commerce (WKÖ) expressed a positive statement about the decisions, but called for a rapid implementation, since long approval procedures block investments and put a strain on taxpayers. The FPÖ has both shown approval of the measures and expressed criticism, demanding a comprehensive location offensive that includes tax relief and investment incentives.

The legal framework for renewable energies

parallel to the reforms in the approval area, energy law plays an important role in the development of renewable energies in Austria. It forms the legal framework for a safe, sustainable and climate -friendly energy supply. Relevant laws, such as the Renewable Expansion Act (EAG), aim to achieve a significant increase in electricity generation from renewable sources by 2030. BM-WET informs about…

The EABG, which is currently in preparation, is intended to accelerate approval procedures for energy infrastructure projects and is planned to be decided in the National Council by summer 2025. The Federal Government pursues the goal of reaching climate neutrality by 2040 and completely switching the power supply to renewable energies by 2030.

climate goals and strategies

In order to achieve the ambitious climate goals, the Austrian federal government has already sent a national energy and climate plan (NEKP) to Brussels at the end of 2019. This plan is committed to the Paris climate protection destinations and provides for greenhouse gas emissions by 36 percent. BM-MII explains the… by various measures, a total of 27 percent fewer emissions are to be achieved by 2030, which corresponds to about 9 million tons of CO2-equivalent

In addition to the implementation of the EABG and other legal framework, the ecologization of the tax and delivery system and the expansion of emission trade to other sectors are considered necessary in order to advance climate protection in Austria. These measures are crucial to secure the competitiveness of the business location and promote new investments.