ÖNIP clearly raises the need for PV expansion and, for the first time, clearly shows the federal states’ mandate to act

2023-07-07 10:30:32

No more small-small of the federal states

Vienna (OTS) – With the draft of the “integrated Austrian network infrastructure plan” (ÖNIP), the Federal Ministry for Climate Protection revised the expansion requirements for renewable energy sources up to 2030 and 2040. The ÖNIP was created by the Federal Environment Agency to determine the expansion requirements of the electricity grid. The plan not only does justice to the increasing demand for electricity and follows up the expansion targets for renewables accordingly, but also calculates the PV expansion requirements of the individual federal states for the first time.

Almost doubling of the PV expansion requirement by 2030

In order to actually be able to cover the increasing electricity demand in the future with renewables, the PV output must be expanded to 21,000 MWp by 2030 (instead of the previous 13,000 MWp, according to the EAG from 2020). A mere 18% of the necessary PV capacity has already been installed in Austria. Accordingly, the annual increase from 1,000 MWp to 2,100 MWp is to be doubled.

Clear expansion targets for the federal states for the first time

Especially for the large federal states such as Lower Austria (5,600 MWp), Upper Austria (3,800 MWp) or Styria (3,300 MWp), this results in a significantly higher PV expansion requirement than previously assumed in the EAG. However, only a fraction of the capacity is installed. Burgenland has only installed 5% of the PV capacity, Carinthia, Lower Austria, Salzburg and Tyrol only 15% each. It is assumed that around 40% of the output can be realized on building and facade surfaces. The remaining solar power generation must take place in open spaces. This makes it clear that immense efforts are necessary and that the federal states in particular are now deciding on the success of the electricity transition and thus on a climate-friendly energy future. The federal states must also commit to the new targets and raise their state targets accordingly.

“We’re repeating ourselves, but with the present draft of the ÖNIPS, the smallness of the federal states must come to an end once and for all. By now, at the latest, it must have become clear to the state governments that everything must be done to get things going – in addition to pushing ahead with roof conversions, areas for the expansion of PV must also be designated in a forward-looking manner,” says Herbert Paierl, Chairman of the German Photovoltaic Association Austria (PV Austria), to the states. Above all, the PV expansion will not end in 2030 – quite the opposite, because by 2040 the PV output is to be doubled further, to 41,000 MWp.

Goals cannot be achieved without grid expansion

The presented draft of the ÖNIP also shows where the expansion potential of renewables lies nationwide. “Once again, it becomes clear that, in addition to the required system output, we need the power grids where there is potential for renewable generation. This requires a comprehensive network expansion plan that includes areas with potential for renewables. The grid operators, like the federal states, have an obligation to act,” says Vera Immitzer, Managing Director of PV Austria, pointing out the urgency of a comprehensive grid expansion.

Factsheets on the PV expansion requirements of the federal states according to the ÖNIP can be found at https://pvaustria.at/bundeslaender.