By 2023, renewable energies will already account for 87.6 percent of total domestic energy production, says the Energy Ministry, pointing to a record increase in electricity production from photovoltaics. But if you look at total energy consumption, well over half of the energy consumed in Austria still comes from oil, natural gas and coal. While the share of hydropower is declining, that of biomass is increasing, the ministry refers to the annual statistical report “Energy in Austria – Figures, Data, Facts”. According to the report, 11 percent of energy consumption in Austria was covered by hydropower last year. 2.2 percent came from wind power, 1.6 percent from photovoltaics, 2.4 percent from ambient heat and 2.1 percent from combustible waste – together about the same amount as coal at 7.7 percent. The lion’s share is still made up of oil (35.7 percent) and natural gas (18.5 percent).
However, the ministry points out that in 2023, 14.5 percent less gas was used to cover energy consumption compared to the previous year.
Wind energy increased to 11.4 percent
The contribution of wind energy to domestic electricity generation has increased from around 2 to 11.4 percent since 2005. Electricity production from wind increased by 10.9 percent in 2023 compared to 2022. New wind turbines with a capacity of 331 MW were also installed.
Solar power already contributed 8.7 percent to domestic electricity generation in 2023 (2022: 6.6 percent). The PV boom is reflected above all in new installations. There was a record increase of around 2,600 MWpeak in 2023, with the cumulative total output increasing to 6.4 MWpeak, almost quadrupling since 2019.
The use of ambient heat from air, earth or groundwater via heat pumps for space heating or hot water preparation has increased sevenfold since 2005. In 2022, 61,000 heat pumps were installed, and in 2023 there were 57,100 systems. In total, more than 491,000 heat pumps (+11.4 percent compared to 2022) are now in operation in Austria. For the first time in more than 20 years, more electricity was exported than imported last year, the Energy Ministry emphasizes.
