• General State of the Economy
• Energy Resources
• Energy Balance
• Energy Infrastructure
• Education and Innovation
• Ecology and Environment Protection
• References

Austria, officially the Austrian Republic, is located in Central Europe. Its capital city is Vienna. The country is bordered by the Czech Republic (to the north), Slovakia (to the north-east), Germany (to the northwest), Hungary (to the east), Liechtenstein and Switzerland (to the west), and Slovenia and Italy (to the south).

Source: [1,2,3,4,5]

As of 2023, the country is home to around 8,9 million people. It is 116^th in the world in terms of land area, ranking 111^st in the world in population density out of the 250 countries surveyed [1,2,3].

Donnerbrunnen, 18th-century fountain, Vienna

Austria is a federal parliamentary republic with its administrative map divided into 9 states. The official language is German [3]. Austria can be categorized as a developed country, placing above many others in terms of key indicators and this is reflected in the comparative diagram of various economic indices – Figure 1.

The service sector, the industrial sector, and the agricultural sector form the base of the economy [3]. By almost every indicator in the presented diagram, Austria places in the top 25% of the leading countries in the world included in the rating. Due to a developed market economy, a high level of education in the population, and a stable financial system, indicators such as the level of GDP, and the level of economic freedom, the current sovereign rating of Standard & Poor's are much higher than the global average. From the early 1990s to 2008 the country experienced sustained GDP growth at purchasing power parity, both in general and per capita [4,5]. In 2008 it fell slightly, but then growth resumed. GDP at purchasing power parity increased from $441 billion in 2017 to $516 billion in 2023 [3]. GDP at purchasing power parity per capita is currently $56506 [3]. The dynamics of this indicator is also positive. Inflation rates have risen sharply in recent years to nearly 8% [3]. In terms of the market value of publicly traded shares, the country was 40^th in the world. The  rating from The Global Competitiveness Report reflects the effectiveness of the use of the country’s own resources for sustainable development. In addition to a number of economic indicators this index also takes into account such variables as education, health, level of innovation, etc. High-technology exports in 2023 was 17% of manufactured exports.
According to the Index of Economic Freedom 2024, which takes into account business freedom, freedom from government intervention, protection of property, and freedom from corruption, Austria was 13^th out of 176 countries. Austria's public debt as a percentage of GDP was 75.1% in 2022 [3].

Austrian Parliament

According to ВР-2022, primary energy consumption in Austria amounted to 1,48 exajoules and was dominated by oil – 33.1%, followed by hydropower – 27%, gas – 21.6%, coal – 7.4%, and other renewable resources – 10.1% [15]. According to the Report of Bundesministerium für Klimaschutz, Umwelt, Energie, Mobilität, Innovation und Technologie, the share of oil and oil products in the gross domestic energy consumption in 2023 was 35.7%, for gas – 18.5%, coal – 7.7%, and for renewable energy sources, including hydropower and imports – 38.1% [16]. The volume of coal consumption in Austria fell by about 50% between 2003 and 2022, and in 2022 it did not exceed the level of 3.1 million short tons (Fig.2.). The import of coal in 2022  was 3.6 million short tons [17].

                                                          Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (Sep 2024) / www.eia.gov

                                     Figure 3. Electricity production in Austria

Gas consumption in 2023 was 246 PJ [16]. According to other sources, in 2022 gas consumption was at the level of 287 Bcf [17]. The U.S. Energy Information Administration, estimated the import of natural gas in 2022 to be at 428 Bcf [17]. Historically, Austria has had a high share of hydro resources in electricity production (Fig. 3). Electricity production in Austria in 2023 was 64.68 TWh, dominated by hydropower - 59.1%; the share of renewable energy sources was 25.7%, while fossil resources accounted for 15.2% (Fig. 6).

Spittelau District Heating Plant, Vienna

As previously mentioned, Austria does not have significant reserves of fossil resources, and consequently the first six indexes are extremely low. The scarcity of fossil resources in Austria is critical and the required amount of electrical power cannot be produced from them, therefore Austria is a major importer of fossil fuels. Austria’s position in the comparative diagram of energy index is shown in Figure 4.

However, other indices look more positive. In terms of the share of electricity production from renewable energy sources (excluding hydropower), Austria ranks 16^th out of 170 countries selected for consideration. Over the last 8 years the country has gained 2 positions in the rating.
In 2020 Austria was 18^th out of 66 countries ranked by the ratio of GDP per unit of energy use, while in terms of energy consumption per capita the country is 22^nd in the world, ahead of Germany and France. In terms of electricity consumption per capita, the country is 29^th in the world, however, for the indicator of combination of electricity production-consumption, Austria is 205^th in the ranked list of 216 countries.

A territorial map showing the distribution of the largest infrastructure projects of the fossil fuel sector in Austria is shown in Figure 5. As mentioned above, the proven reserves of natural gas account for 48.6% of the total energy potential of the country's mineral resources, with crude oil reserves accounting for 51.4%. The main oil and gas fields are located near the capital and in the Linz region, in the north-west of the country (Fig. 5). There is one oil refinery in Austria, managed by OMV, located in Schwechat, near Vienna. It has an installed capacity of 192,000 barrels/day. Nearby there is the main oil storage facility – Lobau, with a capacity of 1 600 000 m³ [18].
In Austria, there are two types of oil pipelines with a total length of 663 km, providing oil supplies to the refinery in Schwechat: local pipelines from local deposits; and the international “Transalpine Pipeline” that originates in Trieste, Italy. In the past, attempts were made to build a pipeline from Bratislava to Schwechat to ensure direct supplies of oil from Russia. However, the project has so far remained on paper. There is also an oil pipeline with a length of 157 km for the transportation of petroleum products (Fig. 5).

Figure 5. Basic infrastructural facilities of the fossil fuel sector in Austria

The largest gas fields are situated in the basins of Vienna and Molasse [18]. The main gas storage facility is Schonkirchen/Reyersdorf, with a capacity of 1 589 million m³ [18].
Gas is transported through pipelines with a total length of 4 736 km. (Fig. 5). Austria has a large number of gas storage facilities that provide Austria and other European countries with natural gas coming from Russia through Slovakia. The potential of the Vienna Basin-Mikulov shale gas field was estimated at 240 Tcf in 2010 [19]. However, the extraction of shale gas in the country is prohibited.
Electricity production in Austria in 2023 was 64.68 TWh, dominated by hydropower - 59.1%; the share of renewable energy sources was 25.7%, while fossil resources accounted for 15.2% (Fig. 6).
Fossil fuel power plants provide about 15% of the total electricity production, these plants include two coal-fired power plants with a capacity of more than 100 MW, several gas-fired power plants, of which 6 have a capacity of more than 100 MW, and 4 combined cycle stations over 100 MW (Fig.6).
The largest coal-fired plant is Dürnrohr Coal-fired Power Plant, with an installed capacity estimated at 757 MW [20]. The country's largest gas station is Mellach Natural Gas-fired Power Plant with an installed capacity of 832 MW, and the largest combined cycle power plant is the Simmering Combined Power Plant, with an installed capacity of more than 1,245 MW [21,22]. In 2023, hydropower generated around 39.94 TWh (Fig. 6). The country's largest hydroelectric power station is Altenwörth, with an installed capacity of 328 MW [23], and the installed capacity of Malta Hauptstufe Hydro Pumped Storage Station is 730 MW [24]. Following a national referendum, there are no nuclear power plants in the country. Moreover, Austria actively opposes the existence of nuclear programs in other EU countries.

Figure 6. Electricity production in Austria

In Figure 7, you can see the main facilities of the Austrian infrastructure for the production of energy from renewable sources. As noted above, excluding hydropower, renewable energy in Austria does not play a major role in electricity generation, but nevertheless has a significant presence in the market. The total production of electricity from renewable sources in 2022, excluding hydropower, was 15.72 TWh (Fig. 7). 12 large wind farms with a capacity of more than 45 MW each are located in the north-east of the country, around the capital, where there are areas of high wind activity. According to the Austrian Wind Energy Association, Austria has 1 307 wind farms with a total capacity of 3,300 megawatts as of 2022.

Nußdorf weir and lock, Vienna

Currently wind turbines installed in Austria can generate 8.5 billion kWh of electricity annually that is the electricity consumption of around 2.5 million households [25]. The largest wind park is in Andau, with an installed capacity of 237 MW [26].

Figure 7. Renewable energy in Austria: wind, solar and geothermal

The set of indices reflecting the position of Austria relative to other countries in the field of education and innovation can be seen in Figure 10. Despite the indirect relation to energy, these indices are reflective of the future of its development, which is impossible without innovative technologies and scientific research. According to the diagram presented, Austria is one of the world's leading countries by these indicators.

According to the Global Innovation Index 2021, Austria is ranked 18^th out of 132 countries (see diagram for links). According to the number of patents granted to Austrian residents, both inside the country and abroad, the country ranks 14^th in the world, behind a number of European countries, but nevertheless higher than the world average. Similarly, by the number of patents in force, the country ranks highly – 17^th place, indicating the country's favourable conditions for innovation.
The country is also among the leaders in terms of its number of Internet users.

Austrian Academy of Sciences

A significant level of government expenditure on education (as a percentage of the country's GDP), allowed 8 Austrian universities to enter the QS University Rating. Austria is well positioned when considering the number of publications of specialists in scientific and technological journals and patent activities. Austria is 24^th out of 240 participating countries in the Scimago ranking, and in Scientific and Journal Activities it is ranked 32^nd out of 197 countries. About 13 educational universities in Austria, including Vienna University of Technology, Graz University of Technology, and the University of Leoben train specialists in various fields of energy, including Chemical Engineering, Environmmental Engineering, Mining Engineering, Environmental Engineering, etc. In the field of synthetic fuel production, extraction and processing of unconventional oil, the leading Austrian patent holders are Siemens VAI Metals Technologies GmbH, SynCraft Engineering GmbH, Rotec Engineering GmbH & CO KG. Research and development in this field is carried out by Vienna University of Technology and Bioenergy 2020+ GmbH.

University of Vienna

The leading patent holders in the field of bioenergy are Andritz Technology and Asset Management GmbH, Vienna University of Technology, ENBASYS GMBH, Evonik Fibres GmbH, and Rep Renewables Energy Products GmbH. Graz University of Technology and Vienna University of Technology are conducting research in this field. Another area where Austrian companies actively patent their technology is in the production of hydrocarbons from low permeability reservoirs. The Centre for Abrasives and Refractories Research & Development C.A.R.R.D. GmbH, Imerys Services S.A.S have the highest number of patents in the field, and Montan Universität Leoben conducts research in this area.
A large number of Austrian companies patent technical solutions in the field of energy production from renewable sources. In the field of solar energy Isovolta AG, Heliovis AG, Isovoltaic AG, Sun Master Engergiesysteme GmbH should be mentioned. Leading research organizations in this field are the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis and S.O.L.I.D. International GMbH.
Miba Gleitlager Gmbh, AMSC Windtec Gmbh, AMSC Austria Gmbh, Set Sustainable Energy Technologies are prominent in the number of patents in the field of wind power.

A diagram of environmental indices is shown in Figure 11.
Figure 11 shows the indices that have an indirect effect on the energy sector, but which in many respects predetermine its future.

Austria demonstrates relatively high levels of CO₂ emissions both in general and per capita. The situation is aggravated by the fact that Austria is regarded as one of the 60 countries responsible for more than 90% of global CO₂ emissions related to energy in the Climate Change Performance Index 2022 (CCPI). In terms of forest area as a percentage of the country, Austria is 63^rd in the world, and demonstrates a positive trend (43^rd in the world). The preservation of this bio resource is important to the Austrian government.

Zwentendorf Nuclear Power Plant (closed in 1978)

The situation is brightened by a relatively high valuation of Austria in the Environmental Performance Index rankings (EPI) 2020, which focuses primarily on assessing the environmental performance of national governments. Here, the country is 6^th, and shows a positive trend.

Wörthersee

Austria also belongs to a group of countries with very high levels of methane emissions. Finally, according to the Ecological Footprint Atlas rating, Austria is among the number of ecological debtors.

[1] List of sovereign states and dependencies by area / Wikipedia / en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sovereign_states_and_dependencies_by_area
[2] List of countries and dependencies by population density / Wikipedia / en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_and_dependencies_by_population_density
[3] Austria/ The world factbook / Library / Central Intelligence Agency / www.cia.gov
[4] GDP, PPP (constant 2011 international $) / World Bank, International Comparison Program database. License: CC BY-4.0 / Data / The World Bank / http://www.worldbank.org/
[5] GDP per capita, PPP (current international $)/ World Bank, International Comparison Program database. License: CC BY-4.0 / Data / The World Bank / http://www.worldbank.org/
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[8] World Energy Resources: Hydro World Energy Council / 2013 / Publications / World Energy Council / www.worldenergy.org
[9] Solar resource data obtained from the Global Solar Atlas, owned by the World Bank Group and provided by Solargis / Global Solar Athlas / globalsolaratlas.info
[10] Wind Map / Global Wind Atlas 2.0, a free, web-based application developed, owned and operated by the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) in partnership with the World Bank Group, utilizing data provided by Vortex, with funding provided by the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP). For additional information: globalwindatlas.info
[11] Agricultural land (% of land area) /Food and Agriculture Organization, electronic files and web site. License: CC BY-4.0 / Data / The World Bank / www.worldbank.org
[12] Forest area (% of land area) /Food and Agriculture Organization, electronic files and web site. License: CC BY-4.0 / Data / The World Bank / www.worldbank.org
[13] 2016 Annual U.S. & Global Geothermal Power Production Report (PDF) / Geothermal Energy Association / geo-energy.org
[14] Municipal waste statistics Updated / 19 July 2018 / Full list / Statistics Explained / Eurostat / ec.europa.eu
[15] BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2022 (PDF) / BP / www.bp.com
[16] Energie in Österreich 2024 (PDF) / Das Bundesministerium für Klimaschutz, Umwelt, Energie, Mobilität, Innovation und Technologie / www.bmk.gv.at
[17] International Energy Statistic / Geography / U.S. Energy Information Administration / www.eia.gov/beta/international/
[18] Downstream / OMV Group / www.omv.com
[19] Global Gas Shale and Unconventional Gas: Unlocking Your Potential (PDF)/ Gas Technology Institute / February 2010 / SlideShare / www.slideshare.net
[20] Kraftwerk Dürnrohr / Wikipedia / de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kraftwerk_D%C3%BCrnrohr
[21] Mellach CCGT Power Plant Austria / Global Energy Observatory / www.globalenergyobservatory.org
[22] Austria Simmering Combined Power Plant / Industry About / www.industryabout.com
[23] Our Power Plants (Unsere Kraftwerke) / VerbundAG / www.verbund.com
[24] Malta Main Stage Pumped Storage Power Plant / DOE Global Energy Storage Database / www.energystorageexchange.org
[25] IG Windkraft / www.igwindkraft.at
[26] Standorte / Energie Burgenland / www.energieburgenland.at
[27] Sankt Veit an der Glan, Carinthia, Austria (PDF) / Fronius International GmbH / www.fronius.com
[28] Status und aktuelle Entwicklungen der Geothermie in Österreich, 2012 (PDF)/ Oberösterreichisches Landesmuseum / www.landesmuseum.at
[29] Biomassekraftwerk in Wien Simmering / Energie Leben / www.energieleben.at
[30] Deponiegasverstromung / Steiner-Bau GesmbH / www.steinerbau.at
[31] Agrana Bioethanol Refuelling the Environment (PDF)/ Producing Bioethanol / Agrana Group / www.agrana.com
[32] Vienna is Europe’s Capital City of BioDiesel / BDI – BioEnergy International AG / www.bdi-bioenergy.com
[33] Gas ist erneuerbar / Initiative Gas / initiative-gas.at
[34] Biomasserkraftwerk Oberwart / Gasification & Syngas Technologies Council / www.gasification.org
[35] Large Industrial Users of Energy Biomass, September 2013 (PDF) / IEA Bioenergy Task 40 / bioenergytrade.org
[36] ISWA WtE State of the Art Report / CEWEP (Confederation of European Waste-to-Energy Plants) / www.cewep.eu
[37] The Italy-Germany Gas Pipeline, The Search for stakeholders is due to start / Snam / www.snam.it
[38] Gazprom and OMV signed a Framework Agreement of Cooperation under the South Stream project / April 24, 2010 / Gazprom / www.gazprom.com
[39] European Union’s Nabucco pipeline project aborted / World Socialist Web Site / www.wsws.org
[40] 380 kV line St. Peter - Federal border / Austrian Power Grid (APG) / www.apg.at
[41] The Italy-Germany Gas Pipeline, The Search for stakeholders is due to start / Snam / www.snam.it
[42] Renewable Energy Projects in Austria / www.energyprojects.at
[43] Starke Zahlen der Windkraft in Niederösterreich Ende 2016 (PDF) / Interessengemeinschaft Windkraft Österreich / www.igwindkraft.at
[44] Kuhtaistorage power stationscheme / Tiroler Wasser Kraft / www.tiwag.at
[45] Windenergie in Österreich /IG Windkraft Österreich / www.igwindkraft.at
[46] Country Profile: Austria / Renewables Interactive Map / www.map.ren21.net
[47] Kuhtaistorage power stationscheme / Tiroler Wasser Kraft / www.tiwag.at
[48] BDI Bioenergy / www.bdi-bioenergy.com
[49] Geological history in fast motion: renewable natural gas produced from solar power and water, 1,000 metres underground / Underground Sun Conversion / www.underground-sun-conversion.at
[50] International Hydrogen Fueling Stations / Hydrogen Production / Hyarc / Hydrogen Tools / h2tools.org
[51] Innovative pilot plant generates hydrogen from renewables / OMV / www.omv.com

The sources of charts and curves are specified under the images.

For more information about the energy industry in Austria see here