Away from Trump and the USA, there is also news in Austria. On January 12, 2025, Austria set a new record for daily wind power production and was able to cover around 60% of domestic electricity demand.

"This success shows the progress made in the expansion of renewable energies, but also makes it clear that there is still a long way to go," says Ulrich Streibl, CEO of oekostrom AG. We still need a supportive political framework to accelerate the expansion of clean energies in order to electrify mobility, industry and heat supply and achieve the climate targets.

For this reason, oekostrom AG has formulated four priorities that can drive forward the expansion of renewables with a clear regulatory framework from the federal government: These include CO₂ targets, land use designations, faster approvals and a rapid expansion of grids and storage facilities.

Binding expansion targets by 2040

Specific targets for the expansion of renewable energies are needed, supported by corresponding accompanying legislation - such as the National Energy and Climate Plan (NEKP) and an Austria-wide grid infrastructure plan (ÖNIP). The federal states should be given clear guidelines as to which expansion targets they must achieve.

Land use designations

Although spatial planning in Austria is a matter for the federal states and municipalities, "clear support from the federal government is needed", says Streibl. The federal government can have a direct influence on the expansion of renewable energies through the implementation of the EU REDIII Directive and the Renewable Energy Expansion Acceleration Act (EABG).

Faster approval procedures

Renewable energy projects must be recognized as being of "overriding public interest" in order to promote their expansion. This would require the adoption of the existing Electricity Industry Act (ElWG) and the Renewable Energy Expansion Acceleration Act (EABG), as well as the amendment of various federal and state laws (e.g. UVP-G, regional planning).

Grid and storage expansion

Better conditions need to be created for grid expansion so that investments in the grids are economically attractive and expansion is accelerated. "The federal government should set clear guidelines so that the regional energy suppliers that operate medium and low-voltage grids also accelerate the expansion," explains Ulrich Streibl, CEO of oekostrom AG. "In order to promote the expansion of storage facilities, temporary subsidy programs that facilitate the first phase of expansion make sense. In addition, the double grid fee for storage facilities, which applies to both storage and withdrawal, must be abolished in order to create fair conditions."