Energy transition in Austria: This is how the citizens' energy future succeeds!

Energy transition in Austria: This is how the citizens' energy future succeeds!

Peter Jordan Straße 82, 1180 Wien, Österreich - On January 21, 2025, a panel event will take place in the Ilse Wallentin House in Vienna under the title "Energy communities: innovations, challenges and success". This event, which is also streamed live, was organized by the Boku University's energy cluster and aims to illuminate the crucial role of energy communities in the sustainable and democratic energy transition in Austria. The focus is on the legal framework conditions that the Renewable Expansion Act (EAG) sets to promote the foundation and growth of renewable energy communities (EEGS) and Citizens' Energy Cooperative (BEGS), such as ots.at reported.

Currently there are around 1,171 EEGS and 147 Begs in Austria, which are mainly found in rural regions of Lower Austria, Styria and Burgenland. These communities rely in particular on photovoltaic systems, with 75 % of their facilities based on solar energy. However, challenges such as bureaucratic hurdles and communication with network operators represent significant hurdles. The event will include various key lectures on topics such as the role of young people in the energy transition and self -determination via regional energy sources, such as in End report on energy communities is explained.

The goals and challenges in the focus

A central concern of the event is to promote the exchange about the great potential and challenges that bring about energy communities. The establishment of such a community usually takes between 6 and 12 months and it is discussed how these models can also be made more accessible to people with limited resources. Experts from different areas, including environmental policy and urban innovation, will present their perspectives and solutions to create a common and sustainable energy system.