While the federal government is considering activating Styria’s coal-fired power plant in Mellach due to declining gas supplies from Russia, Vienna points to the possibility of running four of its gas-fired heating plants on oil. These are designed for bivalent operation — i.e. gas or oil — and do not require conversion or modification, Wien Energie chairman Michael Strebl said on Monday.
The four locations are in the Arsenal, Spittelau, Inzersdorf and Leopoldau. The gas storage facilities in Vienna are already well filled at 84 percent and the maximum level should be reached in September or October. “Vienna is safe in the current situation,” Strebl said in ORF “Wien Today”.
Old energy sources are experiencing a renaissance
In the spring of 2020, electricity was generated from coal for the last time at the Mellach district heating plant, which is currently shut down and part of the partly state-owned Verbund group. A certain lead time is required to put it into use. It would be months before the technical and personnel requirements are met and the coal is purchased, it was recently said.
Much fewer gas transports
As the Climate Ministry announced yesterday, Russia announced on Monday that it would cut gas supplies. The day before yesterday, Sunday, only about half of the originally announced amount had come to Austria.
However, the household warehouses are also full. The storage level is nationally – as of yesterday – 41.32 percent or 39.46 terawatt hours.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
