Wind Energy is Renewable Energie

Introduction

Politicians in Austria have also come the conclusion about the importance of renewable energy sources and the necessity to support their development.

Although Austria is thought to be an ecologically conscious country, in the area of renewables it is far behind such countries as Germany, Spain and the Scandinavian countries.

70% of Austria´s electricity is produced by renewables. This seems astounding but when we take a closer look and realise that water power accounts for this, the situation is not as rosy as it seems. Hydroelectric power plants change and destroy the landscape tremendously.

Wind power would be the ideal complement to water power since 2/3 of it is available in the winter months when water power is at a minimum.

Chronology

The first wind measurements carried out in the late 80´s showed surprisingly good results.

In 1991 the discussion about feed-in tariffs began. In 1994 the first funding programs came into action:
	30% of investment costs were financed by the Österreichische Kommunalkredit. The funding was granted according to a call for proposals system.
	a higher tariff was paid for the first three years in operation which doubled that which the utility paid.
This made it possible to erect the first larger wind turbine (150 kW) in Marchfeld. In 1995, what is now today the WEB Windenergie AG, erected the first "Citizen Wind Turbine" in Michelbach, NÖ. It was called this because it was owned by over 100 private shareholders.

In 1996 this funding program expired and in February 1999 the new electricity laws came into effect.

For the newest data about wind power in Austria see: http://www.energiewerkstatt.at.

The ElWOG 1999 - 2002

The new electricity laws (ELWOG) set down the following regulations for the operators of distribution networks and the share of clean energy (wind, water, biomasse, solar) which they must offer their customers:

As of 1 October 2001 a minimum share of 1%
As of 1 October 2003 a minimum share of 2%
As of 1 October 2005 a minimum share of 3%
As of 1 October 2007 a minimum share of 4%.

Utilities must accept clean energy into the grid without limits.

In Austria each of the provinces sets down its own feed-in tariffs. These must be coupled on the average production costs. When the expenditures exceed the profits, the grid operators have the possibility of regaining these costs.

"Eco-electricity" Law

The "eco-electricity" law (Ökostromgesetz) which was passed on 10 July 2002 came into effect on 1 January 2003. Aim of the Ökostromgesetz is to raise the percent of renewable energy (energy from wind, solar, geothermal, hydro-power, wave and tide, biomass, biofuel and other eligibles) to amount to 78.1% of Austrian electricity consumption by 2010. The law requires 4% of the country´s electricity to come from these eligible renewable energy sources (not including hydro power) by 1 January 2008. This will mean a set back in meeting the goals of the electricity laws (ELWOG). A renewables quota on electricity suppliers and a system of premium payments would support the production of green electricity.

Until now ELWOG from 1999 allowed feed-in tariffs to vary from state to state. The eco-electricity ordinance, which also came into effect on 1 January 2003, sets the tariff for wind power at a flat rate of 7.8 cent/kWh and applies to all projects which have received their permits by 31 December 2004. It also guarantees this tariff for 13 years. Old wind turbines keep the tariff according to ELWOG from 1999.

For the best and most up to date information about Law/Politic regarding wind energy please see the website from the Austrian Wind Energy Association: www.igwindkraft.at

Overall map of Wind Turbines in Austria

A total of 139,262 MW capacity was installed by the end of 2002.

For maps of the Austrian provinces with details about the wind turbines of all Austrian wind parks please see http://www.energiewerkstatt.at