In a significant move to bolster its renewable energy sector, the Austrian government has announced revisions to its market premium regulation for onshore wind projects.
This decision, which comes into immediate effect, marks a pivotal step towards accelerating the country’s wind power capacity over the next two years.
Under the revised regulation, the maximum bid prices for onshore wind market premiums will see an uptick, rising from 9.28 to 9.60 cents/kWh.
Additionally, tender volumes have been substantially increased, with allocations soaring from 400MW to 582MW for 2024 and to 500MW for 2025. As a result, a robust tender volume of 282MW will be up for grabs during the inaugural tender date on May 14th.
Moreover, the government has tightened compensation criteria for differences in yield arising from varying wind conditions, particularly in high-yield locations.
Notably, wind farms situated in mountainous regions will witness an augmented surcharge, climbing from up to 7.66% to up to 8.13%.
The announcement has been met with enthusiasm from industry stakeholders, with IG Windkraft hailing the measures as essential prerequisites for propelling wind power expansion in Austria.
Stefan Moidl, the managing director of IG Windkraft, emphasized the significance of the Market Premium Ordinance in providing planning security for the years 2024 and 2025.
“We are very pleased that the Market Premium Ordinance has come into force. This is an important step for planning security for the years 2024 and 2025,” stated Moidl.
The publication of the market premium regulation for 2024 and 2025 in the Official Journal solidifies the trajectory of wind power development in Austria.
The regulatory framework, which includes predefined bidding dates, tender volumes, and maximum bid values, imparts clarity and planning certainty to the wind energy sector.
Moidl further underscored the pivotal role of these regulations in fostering a secure funding environment for wind power, stressing the necessity of increased bid values and funding volumes amidst escalating system prices, high interest rates, and inflation.
However, while the revised regulation lays a robust foundation for wind power expansion in the immediate future, long-term ambitions hinge on aligning with broader European Union targets and achieving climate neutrality by 2040.
To this end, the representative body emphasized the imperative of substantially higher tender volumes to accommodate burgeoning wind power projects.
Currently, wind power projects totalling approximately 1200MW have secured Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approval, with an additional 850MW undergoing the approval process.
These projects are poised to tap into the enhanced funding opportunities facilitated by the market premium regulation.
Looking ahead, Moidl asserted that a tender volume of 1000MW will be indispensable in the coming years, underscoring the critical role of the market premium regulation as an incentive and planning cornerstone for the development of new wind projects.
In conclusion, Austria’s proactive measures to bolster its wind power sector through revised market premium regulations signal a concerted commitment towards sustainable energy transition.
With a clear roadmap outlined for the next two years, the nation stands poised to harness the full potential of wind energy, driving towards a greener and more resilient future.
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