Green electricity is a term used to describe electrical energy generated from renewable energy sources, including hydropower, wind energy, solar energy and biomass. In recent years, the use of green electricity has become a key element of energy policy in Austria and throughout the European Union. This form of energy generation is not only environmentally friendly, but also contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change.

Austria is particularly well positioned when it comes to the use of green electricity. Around 75% of electricity is generated from renewable sources, with hydropower playing the most important role with a share of around 60%. Wind and solar power have also gained in importance and are being continuously expanded. The Austrian government has set itself ambitious targets to further increase the share of green electricity by 2030 and achieve climate neutrality by 2040.

A key measure to promote green electricity is the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG), which provides for various subsidy models for operators of plants that generate electricity from renewable sources in Austria. These subsidies range from feed-in tariffs and investment grants to tenders for large projects. These measures promote the expansion of renewable energies and improve the economic viability of green electricity plants.

At European level, green electricity is supported by various directives and programs, such as the EU Renewable Energy Directive. This stipulates that all member states must achieve a certain proportion of renewable energy in the electricity mix by 2030. Austria has taken on a pioneering role here and is focusing on comprehensive measures to increase generation capacity from green electricity.

The demand for green electricity has risen sharply in recent years. More and more consumers are opting for "green" electricity and concluding contracts with green electricity providers. This is often driven by the desire to make a contribution to environmental protection and avoid fossil fuels. At the same time, companies have begun to switch their energy requirements to green electricity, not only out of environmental awareness, but also to ensure their competitiveness within the framework of EU requirements.

However, the expansion of green electricity also faces challenges. The generation of electricity from renewable sources is dependent on the weather and the storage of energy continues to be a technical hurdle. Intensive work is therefore being carried out on the development of storage methods and smart grids in order to increase the flexibility and stability of the electricity grid.

In summary, it can be said that green electricity is a key component of the future energy supply in Austria and Europe. The switch to renewable energies not only contributes to climate protection, but also creates new economic opportunities. With a well-structured framework for the promotion of green electricity and the commitment of companies and consumers, Austria is well on the way to shaping a sustainable and climate-friendly energy future.