With an increase of just 305 megawatts (MW) in the third quarter, the expansion of photovoltaic systems in Austria continues to decline. This was announced by the Federal Association of Photovoltaic Austria (PV Austria). The association refers to the latest »Quarterly Report on Grid Connection« published by E-Control Austria, the regulatory authority for the Austrian electricity and gas market. According to PV Austria, this means that the annual expansion requirement of 2,000 MW, which Austria must achieve according to the Austrian Grid Infrastructure Plan (ÖNIP), is now a distant prospect. Overall, for 2025, this means that, after an expansion of around 1,000 MW in the first three quarters, there is likely to be a significant shortfall in the target.
»The figures are truly alarming. Photovoltaic expansion is at its lowest level in three years, and the industry is under immense pressure. We can see how quickly progress slows down when the framework conditions become unstable. Companies are losing orders and jobs are at risk. Without reliable political guidelines, this situation will continue to worsen,« says Vera Immitzer, Managing Director of PV Austria. The industry has been waiting for years for the necessary energy transition laws, namely the Electricity Industry Act (ElWG) and the Renewable Energy Expansion Acceleration Act (EABG). Currently, there is growing concern about further delays.
»A solid and well-considered legislative package consisting of the ElWG and EABG is urgently needed. Anything else, such as political uncertainty or the planned Austria surcharge, will severely weaken the industry and the entire business location,« emphasises Herbert Paierl, CEO of PV Austria. »Unfortunately, politicians do not realise the growth potential for the domestic economy that lies in increasing the expansion of renewables, nor how positively this would affect electricity prices.«
© PHOTON
