Description
Federal energy efficiency act
The guideline value for final energy consumption in one year was reduced to 920 petajoules (PJ) for 2030, instead of the previous 1,050 PJ. The targets for cumulative final energy savings measures are 650 PJ (by the end of 2030). 250 PJ will come from the coffers of federal funds, and 400 PJ will be identified from so-called "strategic measures." Details of these measures are specified by the federal and state governments in their interaction up to 2024. The savings potentials are based on a short study by the Federal Environment Agency GmbH (UBA). Energy efficiency measures, such as waste heat recovery, component refurbishment, heating check or zero-emission vehicles, were evaluated and a savings potential of 338 PJ (93,807 GWh) was accumulated from 2021 to 2030.
The share of renewable energies thus increases by 0.43% in the industry sector due to the calculated potential of the measures.
Strategic measures include energy taxes, corporate environmental protection subsidy schemes, refurbishment activities/vouchers, housing and energy subsidies.
For example, all energy suppliers (except for very small businesses with less than 50 employees or less than € 10 millions turnover and less than € 10 millions of total assets ) are obliged to conduct an external energy audit every four years, or alternatively set up a certified energy or environmental management system, to reach a target of 0.6% annual increase in the energy savings obligation system.
A minimum amount of compensation of €0.2/kWh will be required if the energy suppliers fail to provide proof for the required energy efficiency measures. The rate of compensation is determined by the average marginal cost and the minimum amount of compensation.
Administrative fines ranging from €10,000 to €100,000 will be imposed depending on the nature of an offence committed by an energy supplier. The offence varies from energy supplier not complying with its reporting obligations, providing false information to the monitoring body, failing to set up an advice and counselling centre for customers, to energy supplier failing to fulfil their individual energy saving obligation, not initiating tender proceedings or not making compensation payments in time.
Climate and energy fund act
The climate and energy fund act is intended to support the development of a sustainable energy system for Austria and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. It aims to reduce energy consumption by 25% by 2010 and 45% by 2020, and to improve energy intensity by at least 5% by 2010 and by 20% by 2020. The climate and energy fund is established to give financial support with a particular focus on three key areas: to research into renewable energy systems, to promote projects in developing environmentally friendly public transport systems, and to support projects in accelerating commercial climate mitigation measures.
Climate protection act
This federal regulation aims to support the coordinated implementation of effective climate protection measures, which will lead to a measurable, reportable and verifiable reduction of greenhouse gas emissions or enhancement of carbon sinks.
The act specifies the greenhouse gas emission thresholds for six sectors not covered under the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) for the period 2008-2012 and the period 2013-2020: waste, energy and industry not covered under the EU ETS, fluorinated gas, buildings, agriculture, and transportation. A National Climate Protection Committee has been established under this act with main responsibility of advising on fundamental issues related to the Austrian climate policy, particularly on the long-term reduction of greenhouse gas emission, as well as on increasing energy efficiency and the share of renewable energy in final energy consumption.