2024-04-08 09:30:43
As part of its energy mix tour of Europe, Techniques de l’Ingénieur is stopping today in Austria, a country which has nearly 80% green electricity in its electricity mix and is aiming for 100% production of renewable electricity by 2030. Figures which unfortunately hide another: in December 2023, 98% of the gas consumed for heating Austrian homes came from Russia!
Dependence on Russian gas, a Soviet legacy
Austria’s history with Russian gas began in the 1960s, when the country signed a gas deal with the Soviets in exchange for not joining the European Economic Area (EEA).
For decades, Austria has benefited from privileged links with Russia which have notably resulted in the import of cheap gas.
In 2018, the Austrian oil and gas group OMV even renewed its contract with the Russian Gazprom, allowing it to ensure delivery until 2040. Austria’s position vis-à-vis Russian gas therefore remains more uncertain than ever since the share of Russian gas fell from 80% in February 2022 to 17% in October 2022, before rising again to 50% at the start of 2023 to finally reach a record of 98% in December 2023 !
However, these figures must be put into perspective, because on the other hand gas consumption has decreased significantly in Austria, going from 100 TWh to 75 TWh in 2023.
Furthermore, aware of the urgent need to find alternative solutions to Russian gas, Austria is said to have launched exploratory drilling on its soilfueling the anger of environmentalists.
A largely carbon-free electricity mix
79%: this is the share of renewable energies recorded in 2021 in total Austrian electricity production. Thanks to hydroelectricity, Austria is one of the European champions in terms of green electricity production and is at the forefront in terms of carbon-free electricity consumption.
In 2022, between 54 % et 67 % of Austria’s electricity production came from hydroelectric plants, which is well above the world average of around 16%. The country has no less than 130 power plants, more than 3 100 barrages and thus exploits almost all of its waterways by producing carbon-free energy which is the pride of Austria.
In addition to this electricity from hydraulic sources, Austria produces 11% wind energy and 6% photovoltaics, which is within the European average, but very little in comparison with other European countries, sincein 2021, solar and wind represented 26% of energy production in Italy and 40% in Spain. But the model to follow remains Germany which is classified as 3e world producer of wind electricity, behind China and the United States and 5e producer of photovoltaic electricity.
Hydroelectricity, an indisputable asset, but which shows its limits!
Like the rest of Europe, Austria is not immune to the effects of climate change. However, hydroelectricity depends entirely on water resources and several years of drought have made the situation critical. In 2022, year of all records in terms of heat, the country was even forced, for the first time in its history, to import electricity.
And unfortunately this is only a cry of alarm! Experts estimate that in the short term, climate change will cause numerous disruptions: overflowing of dams, then a reduction in the volumes of meltwater and finally an acceleration in the evaporation of reservoirs.
Austria therefore has no choice: it must diversify its electricity production at all costs. The country being hostile to nuclear power, it will have to strongly develop wind and solar power if it wants to achieve 100% carbon-free electricity by 2030, as announced in the new EAG law. According to the Austrian government’s plans, photovoltaics will have to make the greatest effort, multiplying the currently installed solar capacities by eight.
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