2024-04-13 05:59:57
Russia’s share of Austro gas imports is expected to fall from around 90 percent to zero percent in 2027/28. The change in the law proposed by Environment Minister Gewessler was sent to the ÖVP.
Energy Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) sent the legislative package she announced in mid-February regarding the diversification obligation for gas suppliers to the government partner ÖVP. This was first reported by the “Kurier” (Saturday edition) and was confirmed by the ministry on Friday evening in response to an APA request.
With the legal changes proposed by Gewessler, Russia’s share of domestic gas imports should fall from around 90 percent to 0 percent in the 2027/28 gas business year. All EU states have agreed to phase out Russian gas by 2027. In December 2023, 98 percent of Austria’s gas imports came from Russia, in January 2024 it was 97 percent and in February it was 87 percent.
In the first year, 40 percent non-Russian natural gas
The Energy Minister’s legislative proposals include amendments to the Gas Industry Act, the Gas Diversification Act and the Energy Steering Act. Starting with the gas year 2024/25, every gas supplier in Austria is obliged to demonstrate an increasing proportion of non-Russian natural gas, the “Kurier” quotes from the draft law. In the first year, this share must be 40 percent of the total quantity delivered to customers. This proportion is expected to gradually increase to 100 percent by 2027/28. In order to prevent one-sided and dangerous supply relationships, gas suppliers should in future prove that they can continue to supply all of their customers with gas even if their largest individual supplier fails, according to the draft, according to the newspaper.
In addition, the state-controlled natural gas supply, which is currently limited to 2026, is to be extended until 2027 through a change in the law. In addition to the green light from the coalition partner ÖVP, the Energy Minister also needs a two-thirds majority in the National Council for her legislative package, because energy issues in Austria are a state matter. (APA)
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