Sharp Criticism of the Renewable Energy Industry at the Chamber of Commerce
A position paper on the energy industry published by "Standard" over the weekend contains "outrages," according to Martina Prechtl-Grundnig, managing director of the Renewable Energy Austria umbrella organization, at a press conference on Tuesday. It seems as if the "oil and gas lobby" in the WKÖ had gained the upper hand.
Chamber of Commerce Position Paper Against Climate Neutrality by 2040 and Rapid Exit from Russian Gas
The WKÖ has not commented on the paper and its contents but has also not denied them. According to "Standard", the two-page letter is addressed to the ÖVP team in the ongoing government negotiations and opposes climate neutrality by 2040, the abolition of climate-damaging subsidies as agreed in the National Energy and Climate Plan, and a rapid exit from Russian gas. It also proposes cuts to subsidies for renewables. "Our members are not aware of the paper," said Prechtl-Grundnig. No one from the pellet industry was involved either, added proPellets managing director Doris Stiksl.
Renewable Industry Calls for Stable Framework Conditions for Long-Term Investments
Prechtl-Grundnig, Stiksl, and IG-Windkraft managing director Florian Maringer pointed out in their joint press conference that the expansion of renewable energy sources primarily requires stable, long-term reliable framework conditions. This must apply beyond the current legislative period. Because high investments are necessary, the less risk that has to be taken, the cheaper the energy can be produced, said Maringer.
Changing legal framework conditions have led to annual investments in wind power fluctuating between zero and 670 million euros over the past 20 years. In total, 6 billion euros were accumulated during the period. Every time there is a slump, it takes a few years to regain momentum. Thanks to the new law of 2021 with its target path until 2030, an investment of three billion euros in wind power is expected in the next three years - and this could continue until 2030 if planning security is not shaken. But that's exactly what the WKÖ position paper threatens.
The conversion of the heat supply for households with an exit from oil and gas would also be possible by 2040, Stiksl and Prechtl-Grundnig calculated. There are still 600,000 oil heaters in Austria, mainly in the west and in Carinthia, as well as 900,000 gas heaters. Up to 100,000 heating systems could be replaced each year by the 6,000 installation companies.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.