Austria is ready to fight its dependence on Russian gas, but it will take a few more years
5 August 2024 13:23
Austria plans to end its dependence on Russian gas by 2027. This decision is part of a new national security strategy that the government has been developing for a long time, reports "Komersant Ukrainian" reports with reference to KURIER. According to the information, the agreement stipulates that by 2027 the country will become independent of gas supplies from Russia.
This agreement is in line with the goals of the European Union and will be enshrined in the new Austrian security strategy. Breaking the dependence on Russian gas was a key demand of the Greens and the last unresolved issue in the negotiations on the new security strategy, which the government was supposed to present at the end of 2023. The document is to be finalised by the Federal Chancellor’s office so that the strategy can be presented in the coming weeks.
According to the data, the share of Russian gas in Austria’s supplies is between 80 and 90 per cent. Last year, Austria transferred about four billion euros to Gazprom, which financed Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Dependence on Russian gas is a significant risk for the Austrian economy. A unilateral reduction in supply leads to higher gas prices for households and industry. This is a risk that can be mitigated by a controlled exit from such dependence.
To achieve this goal, it is planned to adopt a law on renewable gases, including biogas, which previously failed to pass due to opposition from the Social Democrats. “The Greens hope to reach an agreement on this issue in September.
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A commission has also been set up to consider the possibility of withdrawing from the gas supply contract with Gazprom signed by the previous government until 2040. In addition, the government plans to pass a law on diversification of gas supplies, which envisages 40 per cent non-Russian gas supplies starting next winter.
The entire strategy is designed to ensure Austria’s economic security and energy independence. At the heart of the new strategy is the development of infrastructure for the use of renewable gases, which will ensure the stability and competitiveness of energy supply.
The goal is to become completely independent of Russian gas by 2027, which will be made possible by reducing gas consumption, diversifying suppliers and developing domestic renewable energy resources.
This transformation of the energy system will take into account decarbonisation, energy security and energy affordability for households, businesses and industry, and will support them in this process.
