Initiative

Country Profile: Austria

CategoriesCountry Profile CountriesAustria TopicsAir QualityEnd-usersFuel qualityInstallersModernisation of heating system

Austria

Population: 8,935,112

Area: 83,879 km2

Country profile

Austria is a central European country with a very high level of human development and a GDP per capita above the European average and a rather urban population.

While the Austrian climate is continental, the mountainous geography has a strong influence on lowering winter temperatures. Around half of its surface is covered by forests.

% of the H&C sector in the final energy consumption: 51,4%

% of renewables in the H&C sector: 34,0%

% of bioheat within renewables in the H&C sector: 88,7%

 

Biomass for heating in Austria

Austria has a share of renewable energy of 35%, well above the EU average. This is partially explained by the high contribution of hydropower. In 2020 Austria closed its last coal power plant.

In the heating & cooling sector, although bioenergy is the main source, the average level of renewables does not completely match the high availability of sources for renewable heating & cooling.

Austria has a pioneer manufacturing industry for domestic bioenergy.

However, its overall existing heating stock (including all technologies) is not particularly updated in contrast with the European average.

Although Austria does not have any carbon price in place, the Government put forward a roadmap to end oil boilers progressively and new oil boilers are forbidden from 2020 and existing ones cannot be replaced from 2021. From 2025 oil boilers above 25 years will be replaced up to 2035 when the ban will be extended to operate any oil boiler. Additionally, the Government has allocated 650 million to promote sustainable heating and the renovation of building envelope.

Austria presented its National Air Pollution Control Programme with an emission reduction target of 20% for PM2,5 for the period 2020-2029 in comparison with 2005 and 46% from 2030.

Relevant documents

  • Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan for Austria (DEEN)
  • National Air Pollution Control Programme (DEEN)

National initiatives

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