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Österreichs E-Wirtschaft

Oesterreichs Energie

Österreichs Energie represents over 140 Austrian electricity companies generating more than 90% of Austria's electricity and operating the country's power networks.

Lobbying Activity

Meeting with Christian Ehler (Member of the European Parliament) and EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG and

12 Dec 2025 · Energiepolitik

Austrian energy sector urges unified EU security and grid expansion

13 Oct 2025
Topic — Revision of European Union legislation to improve energy security and decarbonization.
Message — The association demands better coordination of crisis measures and unified EU rules. They request faster grid expansion and the provision of local backup capacities. They call for measurable criteria for crisis stages to avoid interpretation gaps.123
Why — Integrated grids and market-based pricing would lower costs and improve system stability.45
Impact — National governments would lose the ability to intervene in markets using independent measures.6
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Meeting with Angelika Winzig (Member of the European Parliament)

2 Oct 2025 · Meeting with a representative of Österreichs Energie

Meeting with Christian Ehler (Member of the European Parliament) and EPIA SolarPower Europe and

26 Sept 2025 · Energy policy

Österreichs E-Wirtschaft warns against disproportionate energy reporting burdens

12 Sept 2025
Topic — The consultation updates technical rules for reporting data on wholesale energy market transactions.
Message — The group requests removing exposure reporting obligations and raising the participant threshold. They advocate for simple binary flags for algorithms and extended implementation timelines.123
Why — These changes would lower administrative costs and protect sensitive commercial trading strategies.45
Impact — Energy regulators would have less detailed data for monitoring algorithmic trading and forecasts.6
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Austrian energy industry urges alignment with CSRD rules

3 Sept 2025
Topic — The EU is proposing a framework to manage accelerating climate risks across Europe.
Message — The organization requests that assessment methods match existing sustainability reporting rules to avoid duplication. They also support standardized climate scenarios and call for EU funding for preventive measures.123
Why — This would minimize administrative costs by preventing redundant reporting and provide financial support.4
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Meeting with Christian Ehler (Member of the European Parliament) and BDEW Bundesverband der Energie- und Wasserwirtschaft e. V. and

23 May 2025 · EU Energiepolitik

Austrian energy sector backs clearer, simplified EU taxonomy reporting

25 Mar 2025
Topic — This initiative aims to simplify sustainability reporting requirements and reduce compliance costs for companies.
Message — The organization calls for a practical implementation of the taxonomy with clear and standardized criteria. They request specific explanations for materiality thresholds and their calculation for parent companies. They also suggest using existing certifications to verify compliance and avoid costly expert opinions.123
Why — This would reduce administrative effort and focus resources on material business activities.45
Impact — Consultants and expert reviewers lose revenue if companies utilize existing certifications instead.6
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Meeting with Günther Sidl (Member of the European Parliament) and WIENER STADTWERKE GmbH and VERBUND AG

16 Jan 2025 · General Exchange of Views

Meeting with Christian Ehler (Member of the European Parliament) and BDEW Bundesverband der Energie- und Wasserwirtschaft e. V. and

6 Dec 2024 · Energiepolitik

Meeting with Lukas Mandl (Member of the European Parliament)

7 Nov 2024 · European Energy Industry

Response to Targeted technical update of EU rules on measuring instruments

17 Oct 2024

Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren! Wir unterstützen eine EU-weit einheitliche Regelung für intelligente Stromzähler und für die E-Mobilitätsladeinfrastruktur, ebenso die Regelungen im Zusammenhang mit der Messung von Wasserstoff. Die vorgeschlagenen Änderungen im Bereich der intelligenten Stromzähler sind jedoch nicht ausreichend, um die geplanten Ziele der Revision der MID zu erreichen und eine weitere Modernisierung der Elektrizitätszähler voranzutreiben. Die MID gilt nur für die Wirkenergie. Zusätzlich hat jedes Land der EU die Möglichkeit zusätzliche Messgrößen einer nationalen Eichung und somit einer nationalen Zulassung zu verordnen. Dies ist in Österreich für Blindenergie, 15 min Leistungsmaximum und Lastprofil der Fall. Daher müssen alle Elektrizitätszähler in Österreich durch das Bundesamt für Eich- und Vermessungswesen zugelassen werden und benötigen eine Eichung dieser Messgrößen durch eine ermächtigte nationale Eichstelle. Dies führt in Österreich zu einem sehr eingeschränkten Wettbewerb im Vergleich zu anderen Ländern. Wir schlagen daher vor, dass in die MID bei den Elektrizitätszählern auch die Messgrößen Blindenergie, Leistungsmaximum und Lastprofil aufgenommen werden. Das Leistungsmaximum wird in Zukunft eine der wesentlichen Messgrößen werden, weil diese bei jedem Kunden zu Verrechnung benötigt wird und in Österreich jedoch für die Auslesung des Lastprofiles aus Gründen des Datenschutzes eine Zustimmung des Kunden erforderlich ist. Wie unterstützen ausdrücklich die Aufnahme von Gleichstrommessung in die MID.
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Response to Update of minimum requirements for certification programmes for switchgear

15 Oct 2024

Artikel 1 Scope ad (a) Eine Klarstellung ist erforderlich, wonach zertifiziertes Personal nur bei solchen Arbeiten erforderlich ist, die das SF6 Gas selbst betreffen. Artikel 1, Abs. 2: This Regulation shall not apply to any manufacturing activity undertaken at manufacturer's sites for stationary electrical switchgear. Wird kritisch gesehen, da Tätigkeiten in zugehörigen Herstellerwerken von den Zertifizierungsanforderungen nach wie vor ausgenommen sind. Artikel 4 Certified body Abs 1, Mit Bezug auf Artikel 10 Abs. 13 (EU 2024/573) muss es möglich sein, dass kleine Staaten wie Österreich zertifizierende Stellen im Ausland geltend machen. Artikel 7, Abs. 1.: Member States shall ensure that the refresher training courses provide proof of the certified natural persons practical and theoretical knowledge . Wird kritisch gesehen, da nun auch in einem bisher freiwilligen und theoretischen Auffrischungskurs die praktischen Fähigkeiten des zertifizierten Personals ebenso überprüft werden sollen.
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Meeting with Angelika Winzig (Member of the European Parliament) and WIENER STADTWERKE GmbH and VERBUND AG

25 Sept 2024 · Meeting with representatives of Österreichs Energie, Wiener Stadtwerke and Verbund

Meeting with Christian Ehler (Member of the European Parliament) and RWE AG and

13 Sept 2024 · Energiepolitik - allgemein

Meeting with Christian Ehler (Member of the European Parliament) and ENGIE and

11 Jul 2024 · Energiepolitik allgemein

Meeting with Christian Ehler (Member of the European Parliament) and BDEW Bundesverband der Energie- und Wasserwirtschaft e. V. and

31 May 2024 · Energiepolitik allgemein

Meeting with Claudia Gamon (Member of the European Parliament)

8 Mar 2024 · aktuelle Energiethemen

Meeting with Claudia Gamon (Member of the European Parliament) and EU DSO Entity

7 Mar 2024 · Netzaktionsplan

Austrian power industry calls for qualitative renewable energy auctions

1 Mar 2024
Topic — Guidance on including non-price criteria in national auctions for renewable energy projects.
Message — The association supports using non-price criteria to promote innovation, biodiversity, and domestic value chains. They recommend moving to a best-bidder principle to evaluate sustainability and system costs rather than just price. Additionally, bid price caps must be raised to ensure auctions remain attractive when these new standards are applied.123
Why — Local developers avoid a race to the bottom against cheaper, less sustainable competitors.4
Impact — International suppliers with lower social and environmental standards may face market exclusion.5
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Response to Guidance to facilitate the designation of renewables acceleration areas

23 Feb 2024

Die dramatischen Ereignisse der letzten Jahre zeigen die Dringlichkeit des Ausbaus erneuerbarer Energien auf. Aufgrund dieser außerordentlichen Situation braucht es außerordentliche Maßnahmen für eine massive Beschleunigung der Genehmigungsverfahren, damit wir unsere Energieversorgungssicherheit sicherstellen und gleichzeitig unsere Klimaziele erreichen. Da komplexe und langwierige Planungs- und Genehmigungsverfahren nach wie vor ein Hindernis für den Einsatz erneuerbarer Energien und ebenso dem damit verbundenen notwendigen Ausbau der Speicher- und Netzinfrastruktur sind, begrüßen wir diesbezügliche Erleichterungen. Ein Leitfaden, der sich auf den Austausch bewährter Praktiken der Mitgliedstaaten und der relevanten Interessengruppen konzentriert und gleichzeitig Flexibilität für die Anpassung an lokale Besonderheiten bietet, ist ein positiver Schritt in die richtige Richtung. In Österreich gibt es nach wie vor Bundesländer, die keine Eignungszonen für Windkraft oder PV ausgewiesen haben. Daher begrüßen wir die Unterstützung der Europäischen Kommission bei der Ausweisung von Beschleunigungsgebieten. Da hohe Gefahr besteht, dass die Ausweisung nicht rechtzeitig stattfinden wird, sollte hier von der Europäischen Kommission besonderes Augenmerk gelegt werden und frühzeitig reagiert werden, wenn sich abzeichnet, dass es keine ausreichenden Ausweisungen gibt. Folgende konkrete Punkte sind bei den Leitlinien zu beachten (Näheres in der Beilage): - Die Genehmigungsverfahren sollen innerhalb und außerhalb der Beschleunigungsgebiete für erneuerbare Energien beschleunigt werden. - Zur Ausweisung von Beschleunigungsgebieten ist ein integrierter Prozess notwendig, der über die nationalen Energie- und Klimapläne abgebildet sein muss. Hierbei soll eine Vorausplanung bis 2050 stattfinden und eine breite Konsultation vorgesehen werden. - Im Leitfaden sollte der Artenschutz stärker auf Populations- statt auf Individuenschutz abstellen. - Schutzmaßnahmen gegen potenzielle Spekulationen in Betracht sollten vorgesehen werden, da der Zugang zu Flächen die Kosten für erneuerbare Energien erheblich beeinflusst. - Der Bedarf an Speichern und Netzen muss berücksichtigt und die Genehmigung beschleunigt werden. - Bei der Ausweisung der Flächen für die Erzeugung von Erneuerbarer Energie ist unbedingt auf die bereits ausgewiesenen oder für den Netzausbau gewidmeten Gebieten zu erwartenden und die bereits bestehende (Strom)Infrastruktur Rücksicht zu nehmen.
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Meeting with Christian Ehler (Member of the European Parliament) and BDEW Bundesverband der Energie- und Wasserwirtschaft e. V. and

26 Jan 2024 · Energiepolitik allgemein

Meeting with Claudia Gamon (Member of the European Parliament)

24 Jan 2024 · Net Zero Industry Act

Meeting with Jens Geier (Member of the European Parliament) and BDEW Bundesverband der Energie- und Wasserwirtschaft e. V. and

12 Jan 2024 · Exchange on industrial and energy policy

Response to Network Code on Cybersecurity

17 Nov 2023

Consultation Response Sector Specific rules on Cybersecurity (Network Code) Oesterreichs Energie appreciates the opportunity to provide feedback to the initiative to develop rules for the EU electricity sector (network code) to address the cybersecurity aspects of cross-border electricity flows with the intention to make the EUs electricity system more resilient and secure. Oesterreichs Energie represents more than 140 energy companies active in generation, trading, transmission, distribution and sales which in total cover more than 90 per cent of the Austrian electricity generation and the entire distribution. The ongoing dialogue between the Commission and the electricity sector support mutual understanding of each others needs, objectives, and challenges is greatly valued. The interaction between the responsible authorities, regulatory authorities, and critical infrastructure to develop the network code is sufficiently complex, as it should provide harmonised rules to address the cybersecurity aspects that meet technical, organizational, and legal framework conditions. Furthermore, the momentum of the digitalization and of the energy transition increases the overall challenge considerably. Major Concerns: We see potential for further optimisation that would greatly improve the objectives of the network code in the implementation timeline, in the efficiency especially regarding prevention of double reporting obligations, and in stronger dedication of authorities and member states to facilitate cooperation and exchange information. In this context, we highly appreciate the work of the common expert groups of the EU DSO-Entity and ENTSO-E and in particular support their feedback in this consultation.
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Meeting with Angelika Winzig (Member of the European Parliament)

16 Nov 2023 · Budgetäre EU-Mittel für den Energiebereich

Meeting with Angelika Winzig (Member of the European Parliament)

13 Nov 2023 · Electricity Market Design

Response to Review report on the Governance Regulation of the Energy Union and Climate Action

2 Aug 2023

Allgemeines: Oesterreichs Energie begrüßt die Governance-Verordnung als ein robustes Instrument zur Verwirklichung der europäischen Energie- und Klimaziele für 2030 sowie zur Verpflichtung der EU im Rahmen des Übereinkommens von Paris. Somit kann eine übergeordnete europäische Koordination für eine konsistente, transparente und abgestimmte Energiepolitik in den Mitgliedstaaten sorgen. Im Fokus muss eine faire Verteilung der Anstrengungen der Mitgliedstaaten stehen. Die Governance-Verordnung sollte ein empfindliches Gleichgewicht zwischen einem robusten und gleichzeitig flexiblen Governance-Ansatz wahren. Sie sollte sicherstellen, dass die EU die verschiedenen Ziele der Energieunion sowie die Klima- und Energieziele erreicht, und gleichzeitig den Mitgliedstaaten die notwendige Flexibilität, um ihre nationalen Politiken, Ziele, Pfade und Instrumente zur Erreichung dieser Ziele in einer Weise festzulegen, die ihren nationalen Kontext widerspiegelt und Kosteneffizienz gewährleistet. Die Verordnung sollte sich weiterhin darauf konzentrieren, die Erreichung der Ziele zu gewährleisten, indem sie eine wirksame Umsetzung und Überwachung garantiert, Synergien nutzt und die Verwirklichung des Energiebinnenmarktes erleichtert. Dies ist entscheidend für die Gewährleistung des Schutzes eines kosteneffizienten und marktorientierten Ansatzes zur Dekarbonisierung des europäischen Stromsektors und der EU-Wirtschaft insgesamt. Bei dem Überprüfungsbericht der Governance-Verordnung sollte analysiert werden, wie diese Ziele im Lichte der Erhöhung der Ambitionen der Energie- und Klimaziele weiterhin verfolgt werden können. Beschleunigter Erneuerbarer Ausbau: Der Umbau des Energiesystems erfordert einen umfassenden Ausbau der Stromproduktion aus erneuerbaren Energien sowie der Speicher und Netze. Ein wesentliches Hindernis dabei sind ineffiziente Verfahren, die häufig zu jahrelangen Verzögerungen bei der Realisierung von Infrastrukturprojekten führen. Eine ausreichende personelle Ausstattung der Behörden mit auf Verfahrensmanagement geschultem Personal ist dringend erforderlich. Weiters müssen für Vorhaben der Energiewende die Verfahrensprozesse bei gleichzeitiger Wahrung der Öffentlichkeitsbeteiligung beschleunigt und gestrafft werden. Daher sprechen wir uns für eine Dokumentation über die Ausstattung der Behörden zur Abwicklung der Genehmigungsverfahren sowie Zeitpläne und Ausbaugebiete für die geplanten Projekte zur Verwirklichung der nationalen Erneuerbaren Ausbauziele in den NEKPs aus.
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Oesterreichs Energie supports current pricing but warns against overregulation

23 May 2023
Topic — This consultation focuses on reforming the EU's electricity market to improve price stability.
Message — The group advocates for keeping the current pricing model and removing peak-shaving products. They also call for less restrictive rules on renewable subsidies and supplier hedging.12
Why — Protecting the current market structure ensures continued profitability for existing power generation investments.34
Impact — EU-level oversight bodies lose their bid for expanded powers to investigate market manipulation.5
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Meeting with Alexander Bernhuber (Member of the European Parliament)

7 Mar 2023 · 2022/0195(COD) Nature Restauration

Austrian energy sector: restoration must not block renewables

22 Aug 2022
Topic — The European Commission is proposing legally binding targets to restore damaged ecosystems.
Message — Restoration targets should go hand-in-hand with the urgently needed acceleration of the roll-out of renewables. The designation of renewables go-to areas should not exclude projects in protected areas. The EU should implement existing water legislation instead of defining additional obligations for freshwater ecosystems.123
Why — This protects hydropower plants from new operating restrictions and costly restoration requirements.4
Impact — Freshwater ecosystems lose stronger protections that might have restricted intensive energy usage.56
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Austrian energy industry calls for faster renewable permitting rules

27 Jul 2022
Topic — EU policy guidance to accelerate renewable energy permitting and facilitate power purchase agreements.
Message — The association proposes a fast-track permitting system and clear sanctions for administrative delays. They argue for shifting species protection to population levels and involving grid operators in planning.123
Why — Streamlined processes and 'overriding public interest' status would reduce legal costs and project risks.4
Impact — Environmental organizations lose the power to stop projects using individual species protection or impact assessments.5
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Austrian power sector urges delays in SF6 gas phase-out

27 Jun 2022
Topic — Reviewing EU rules on climate-harming fluorinated greenhouse gases in refrigeration and power.
Message — The industry requests permission to maintain existing SF6 equipment until its end of life. They propose delaying phase-out deadlines for switchgear to ensure grid stability and competition.1234
Why — This delay protects long-term supply contracts and reduces grid operational risks.56
Impact — Environmental interests suffer as powerful greenhouse gases remain in use for longer.7
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Response to Revision of Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive

16 Nov 2021

The European Commission’s “Fit for 55” legislation package also includes proposals for amendments to the Directive on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure, which will now take the form of a regulation. Oesterreichs Energie takes a positive view of the intention to harmonise the minimum requirements for the deployment of alternative-fuel infrastructure by implementing the legislation in the form of a regulation as opposed to a directive. The proposal is based on four pillars, which in the opinion of Oesterreichs Energie all represent key components in ensuring the success of e-mobility: 1. Ensuring sufficient infrastructure by setting minimum requirements 2. Improving and safeguarding interoperability 3. Ensuring user-friendliness of infrastructure 4. Ensuring integration of electric vehicles Promoting e-mobility requires changes to recharging infrastructure, as well as suitable vehicles. The electricity sector both builds and operates recharging infrastructure, as well as ensuring reliable supplies of electricity for e-vehicles, so the industry makes a significant contribution to the success of the market. In view of the high level of mobility of EU citizens and the substantial level of trade in the internal market, joint efforts are particularly important to ensure progress in bringing about the transport and mobility transformation in the European Union. Besides the expansion of recharging infrastructure, the regulations must also focus on achieving Europe-wide interoperability and user-friendly recharging. Therefore, the EU legal framework must also support measures that ensure the continued expansion of recharging infrastructure, in order to guarantee a positive experience for customers when using recharging points across Europe, as well as addressing the issues of secure data transfer, basic standards and the integration of e-mobility into energy infrastructure. On the whole, a reliable regulatory framework is required so that effective investment decisions can be taken while also safeguarding planning certainty.
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Response to Review of Directive 2012/27/EU on energy efficiency

16 Nov 2021

As part of the European Green Deal, the EU has adopted the European Climate Law, which includes a binding commitment for the Union to become climate-neutral by 2050. It has set a highly ambitious interim goal on the road towards achieving climate neutrality by targeting a reduction of at least 55% in CO2 emissions by 2030. With the support of the wide-ranging Fit for 55 package launched on 14 July 2021, the European Commission is taking steps to align EU climate and energy-related legislation with the 55% target, while at the same time safeguarding and enhancing competitiveness, innovative capabilities and social fairness. Although Austria is still in the process of transposing the Energy Efficiency Directive 2018/2002 (EED) into national law, the Commission has published a proposal for amending the EED. Oesterreichs Energie is committed to ensuring that the efficient use of available energy supplies remains relevant as the proportion of renewables in the energy mix increases. The use of electricity has enormous potential in terms of boosting energy efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions, particularly in the building and transportation sectors. However, with regard to Europe’s climate-protection goals, energy efficiency should not be viewed as an absolute savings target, but also take into account the overarching goal of CO2 reductions and the need for increased flexibility in view of the growing share of renewables. In addition, many energy efficiency measures set out in the EED have been included in sector-related legislation (e.g. the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, Internal Electricity Market Directive, Ecodesign Directive, etc.). Therefore, streamlining the scope of the EED in order to avoid double regulation would be desirable.
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Response to Revision of the Renewable Energy Directive (EU) 2018/2001

16 Nov 2021

Oesterreichs Energie welcomes the increase in the target share of renewables in final energy consumption in 2030 from 32% to 40%. Integration of the energy system is central to achievement of the EU’s climate protection targets. The proposed directive for the use of energy from renewable sources (RED III) sets out cross-sector targets and measures designed to capitalise effectively on the potential of cost-effective renewables in all sectors of the energy system. The definition of higher targets in the electricity, building and transport sectors, as well as in industry and for high-efficiency district heating and cooling is intended to ensure achievement of the new target of a 40% share of renewables in energy consumption.
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Response to Updating Member State emissions reduction targets (Effort Sharing Regulation) in line with the 2030 climate target plan

8 Nov 2021

With regard to the proposed revision of the Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR), Oesterreichs Energie welcomes the fact that the sectors covered by the ETS are not solely obliged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This would place an uneven and disproportionate (additional) burden on these sectors. However, the specifics of exempting the sectors covered by the new emissions trading system (buildings and transport) from the requirements of the ESR are unclear. It is important to achieve coherence with current national regulations at the European level. In particular, this relates to the coherence between national carbon pricing systems and the current EU ETS/the new emissions trading system which is due to come into effect in 2026. The targets for the member states must not be determined solely on the basis of GDP. Instead, the aim should be to capitalise on potential where CO2 avoidance costs are lowest. The continuation of GDP-based allocation carries the risk that lock-in effects will be amplified, meaning that investment will not be steered towards climate-friendly technologies.
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Response to Updating the EU Emissions Trading System

8 Nov 2021

Oesterreichs Energie welcomes the general increase in the CO2 savings target in the EU ETS sector, as well as the proposal to achieve this target by raising the linear reduction factor (LRF) from 2.2% to 4.2%. We also take a positive view of the extension of the EU ETS to include maritime transport. With a view to achieving an efficient EU ETS that is required to reflect actual costs, the complete abolition of all free aviation allowances by 2027 is also to be welcomed. The industry expressly supports the proposal to earmark all revenues from the EU ETS for measures aimed at combating climate change. Clarification is needed regarding district heating, in particular the relation between deleted Art. 10a (3) and (4) and Annex 9: as a result of the deletion of (3) and (4) in Art. 10a we assume that district heating will no longer receive 30% free allocation until 2030, but that the free allocation will be reduced linearly after 2026 when the benchmarks are updated and the LRF is applied and set to zero in 2030. It is not clear to us whether the wording in Annex 9 is an analysis of the current carbon leakage risk provisions and thus refers to the status quo, whereby district heating has the exemption of a 30% free allocation until 2030, or whether it says it will continue to remain so beyond 2030. We are in favour of retaining the free allowance allocation of 30% for district heating. Production of industrial gases – and thus also of hydrogen – will be included on the carbon leakage list in future. As a result, hydrogen producers will receive free allowances equal to the level of emissions generated during production. This means that fossil hydrogen is not subject to carbon pricing, so there will be no incentive to switch to low-emission alternatives. Oesterreichs Energie opposes the Commission’s chosen approach and instead calls for hydrogen to be removed entirely from the carbon leakage list. The Commission’s proposal for a new emissions trading system for buildings and road transport states that distributors of fuels can purchase emissions trading allowances. Oesterreichs Energie is in favour of establishing this separate system for emissions trading, as it could create a level playing field between the various fossil-fuel-based heating systems. Please find attached our detailed remarks.
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Response to Revision of Non-Financial Reporting Directive

14 Jul 2021

Oesterreichs Energie welcomes the European Commission’s proposal on corporate sustainability reporting as an important contribution towards a sustainable financing strategy for the Green Deal. Extension of the scope of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) to all large companies (with over 250 employees) will certainly result in a series of new and additional reporting obligations, which in turn will require additional financial and human resources at the companies affected. Therefore it is important that the provisions of the CSRD and application of the technical screening criteria – which in some cases must first be enacted in delegated acts – are not too complex and companies are given sufficient time to adjust to the new reporting criteria. We call for:  Adequate transition periods  Transition periods for compulsory audits  Group-wide reporting  Avoiding excessive reporting
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Response to Revision of the guidelines for trans-European Energy infrastructure

8 Mar 2021

The electricity sector faces enormous challenges that have to be addressed in order to maintain the high levels of security of supply on the one side, and to achieve the European goals of emission reduction and decarbonisation on the other side. In order to hit these goals, the energy industry will have to make significant effort in the expansion of renewable generating stations, storage facilities and network infrastructure in the coming years. The energy landscape in 2013, when the TEN-E Regulation came into effect, was radically different to today’s increasingly decentralised, digitalised and low-carbon energy system. In this regard, acknowledging the importance of sector integration as a basic precondition for the cost-effective achievement of the climate targets, while at the same time guaranteeing security of supply, has a major part to play. The introduction to the proposed amendment to the TEN-E Regulation, which mentions the growing importance of distribution system operators (DSOs) and improved sector interconnection, should therefore be welcomed. However, we feel there is a lack of specific measures, such as a greater role for DSOs, in the legally binding part of the proposal. In order to safeguard European business locations, an appropriate balance must be found between the conflicting interests of participants in the approval procedures. Until now, PCIs have succeeded in reflecting European interests. The next step is to ensure that designation as a PCI is associated with the positive effects of projects for the general public, and that such projects stand for climate protection, sustainability and supply security, so that national approval procedures really are concluded more quickly. The rising share of volatile renewables goes hand in hand with an increasing need for flexibility. Therefore, the regulation should clearly specify that any form of storage designed to provide flexibility for the electricity system falls under the definition.
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Response to Climate change mitigation and adaptation taxonomy

18 Dec 2020

Oesterreichs Energie welcomes the European Commission’s increased focus on financing sustainable projects and ensuring a key role for the funding system. Many of the investments required for transforming the energy system (such as massive expansion of renewables, sector coupling, Power to X) are currently not viable and require additional funding. In addition to public funds, private capital must be mobilised. Oesterreichs Energie highlights the huge pent-up demand for investment in decarbonisation of the electricity sector and the need to increase electrification of the entire energy system. As the energy transition process is mainly based on volatile energies/generation there will be an increase in requirements and necessary investments to ensure security of energy supply and grid stability. This fact should be taken into account when setting the technical screening criteria. To channel investment into sustainability we see the introduction of standards for classifying sustainable products as a positive development. Overregulation and the attendant higher costs should be avoided. To be an integrated part of this strategy, consistency with the EU acquis (i.e. Clean Energy Package when it comes to the energy sector) and the EU long-term decarbonisation objectives should be ensured. In this context, the delegated acts and the therein proposed technical screening criteria should respect relevant EU acquis, which was developed following in-depth impact assessment and consultation with all relevant stakeholders, and according to well-established and transparent legislative processes. The delegated acts should not set forth new, revised methodologies and metrics, nor more stringent thresholds and sustainability requirements than those already applicable under existing, sector-specific EU regulation (such as the Energy Efficiency Directive, the Renewable Energy Directive, the Clean Vehicles Directive, etc.). Many of these regulations will be revised in the course of next year in light of the EU Green Deal ambitions, and the Taxonomy delegated acts should not anticipate nor forego the outcome of these revisions but refer to the sustainability criteria and objectives therein defined. If not, the delegated acts would create a huge legal confusion, risk disrupting the proper market functioning due to changes to the applicable regulatory framework, impact investors’ trust and distort competition in the EU internal market. The goal of this process should be to create an incentive system towards green investment rather than setting the requirements too high and hinder the development of this new market. Oesterreichs Energie notes that the taxonomy should not automatically be used as a frame of reference for other legislative initiatives, such as revision of the EU Guidelines on State Aid for Environmental Protection and Energy or the TEN-E Regulation. The reason for this is that the taxonomy was originally developed as a positive list for sustainable investments specifically with regard to classification. Therefore, the consequences of applying the taxonomy outside the financial sector would have to be fully assessed in advance. Please find attached our contribution (20201218_DRA_OE_final.pdf).
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Meeting with Ivo Schmidt (Cabinet of Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič)

20 Dec 2017 · preparation - Pre-Presidency Event on the Clean Energy Package

Meeting with Christian Linder (Cabinet of Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič)

4 Dec 2015 · Deutsch-oesterreichische Strompreiszone

Meeting with Christian Linder (Cabinet of Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič), Juraj Nociar (Cabinet of Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič)

4 Mar 2015 · Energy Union