Austria’s decarbonisation drive has strengthened as the country’s economy and renewable energy use have continued to grow. Fossil fuel use has decreased and meanwhile Austria is also working to improve energy security and energy market functioning.
The report, Energy Policies of IEA Countries – Austria 2014 Review, puts the country’s energy policy in context with those of other countries in the EU. Austria shares energy policy objectives and legislation with other member states but needs to encourage investment in networks, optimise demand response and integrate variable renewable energy supply in a cost-effective and market-based manner. A well-functioning internal market can help to reduce concerns over energy prices and costs and Austria could address these issues by implementing more energy efficiency measures and facilitating greater retail market competition.
IEA Executive Director Mariavan der Hoeven said that although Austria’s greenhouse gas emissions from energy use peaked in 2005, they need to be reduced further. The report recommends that the country should develop a post-2020 energy and climate strategy that integrates security of supply and internal market dimensions with GHG emissions reduction, should address concerns over energy prices and costs by further promoting energy efficiency and greater retail market competition and continue the drive towards cross-border integration of energy markets.
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