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In the Council of Ministers today (Wednesday) the Renewable Expansion Law was approved, which defines the framework for the expansion of green electricity during the next ten years. If there are no further delays, the legislative package could be delayed by six months, but will go into effect before the summer. However, a two-thirds majority in parliament is necessary for the final decision, and opposition parties feel they have been left out so far.
According to the original plans, the EAG should have entered into force on January 1, 2021, the resentment of the green electricity industry, but also opposition parties for the delay was great. The legislative package includes not only the EAG itself, but also a number of changes to eight other laws.
The power system is being rebuilt
“With the EAG we are rebuilding our energy system,” Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) said today, according to the announcement. The goal is for Austria’s electricity needs to be 100 percent met from renewable sources by 2030. To achieve this goal, 27 terawatt hours of additional electricity generating capacity will be required.
“To do this, we rely on the following measures: investment, public participation and innovation,” Secretary of State Magnus Brunner (ÖVP) said according to the announcement. Above all, innovation is the key to success. “To do this, we are investing € 500 million in renewable hydrogen and promoting the technology of the future. The EAG is thus becoming a hydrogen package.”
Following today’s decision in the Council of Ministers, negotiations with the opposition are beginning. The three opposition parties SPÖ, FPÖ and NEOS complained after the EAG announced a week ago that they had not participated. The electricity industry and the Chamber of Commerce welcomed the project, the industry urged competitiveness. Reactions from environmental protection organizations were cautiously positive. (apa)
