Assessment of Prerequisites and Impacts of a Renewable-Based Electricity Supply in Austria by 2030

Abstract

In the final version of the Climate and Energy Strategy, the Austrian Federal Government postulated an ambitious target for the domestic expansion of renewable energy sources (RES) in June 2018: The goal is to generate electricity by 2030 to the extent that the national total electricity consumption is covered 100% (at a yearly balance) from renewable energy sources. This chapter provides information on how the transformation to an Austrian electricity system based almost exclusively on renewable energy generation can function and look like from a technical and economic point of view. Apart from that, we shed light on some of the requirements to and impacts of achieving this transition: On the one hand, a comprehensive economic reassessment of the expansion of renewable electricity supply in Austria by 2030 and the corresponding investment and support expenditures is presented. Apart from economic impacts, we also shed light on the impacts concerning supply security that come along with the strong uptake of renewables, specifically due to the massive expansion of volatile electricity generation from variable renewables like wind, solar and run-of-river hydropower. In conclusion, it should be noted that although the #mission2030 goal for the expansion of renewable energies appears extremely ambitious, it can nevertheless be classifiable as feasible. Massive investments in renewable technologies would occur, causing only a moderate increase in electricity prices since support expenditures would remain at a politically and socially acceptable level. Concerning supply security, it can be stated that expected increase in consumption due to the development of new consumption poses major challenges for the entire energy system. The model analysis shows that these are however manageable, but it requires considerable effort and proactive action. Rapid political action is consequently needed in order to be able to follow the ambitious path in a timely manner so that the planned increases in the generation stock as well as in necessary flexibility provision are available both in the early years after 2020 and later.