The share of renewable gas is to be increased to 10.5 TWh by 2030
Vienna (OTS) – The federal government announced today that it intends to introduce the Renewable Gases Act (EGG). This is intended to increase the share of renewable gas in Austria to 10.5 terawatt hours (TWh) by 2030. With this amount, 11% of the current annual consumption can be covered. “This fulfills a long-standing demand from the farmers’ association. This important step is thanks to the dedicated work of Minister of Agriculture Norbert Totschnig, who is committed to sustainable biogas production through our agricultural and forestry operations. Agriculture is part of the energy transition and is helping Austria independent of raw materials and energy from abroad,” said the President of the Farmers’ Union, Abg.z.NR DI Georg Strasser.
The implementation of the EGG is intended to be an important step towards energy self-sufficiency. “Now it’s time to use the existing potential! There are already around 260 biogas plants in Austria, and the technological know-how is there as well. With the necessary political will, we can push ahead with the expansion of biogas and thus also take sustainable actions to achieve the goals we have set ourselves Achieving climate goals. That can only be done with – and not once morest – our farmers,” stresses Strasser.
The law, which is due to be reviewed soon, is the result of many years of negotiations. It gives plant operators planning security with an emergency mechanism and a purchase guarantee under certain conditions. “The legal framework makes it possible for us to expand the infrastructure and gradually increase the proportion of biogas. Regional energy sources are the future, because they make us less dependent on imports and also protect the climate,” says Strasser. (Ending)
Questions & contact:
Christian Esterl, BA
Spokesman & Head of Communications
Tel.: +43 664 8850 9559
c.esterl@bauernbund.at
www.bauernbund.at