In order to quickly promote the urgently needed expansion of the supra-regional electricity grids, the Lower Austrian deputy Stephan Pernkopf is now writing a serious express letter to the Minister of Green Climate Protection, Leonore Gewessler.
Strong electricity networks are the basis for true energy independence – and a lack of supra-regional networks poses a real additional financial burden. As reported, this is evident from data from the Austrian electricity grid (APG). According to studies, Austria paid no less than two billion euros more for electricity last year alone than would have been possible with better lines, for example to neighboring Germany.
The insufficient capacity of the transport network not only causes high costs, but also emissions, because gas-fired power stations have to be switched on when necessary. According to State Vice President Stephan Pernkopf, both of these should soon be a thing of the past, but network expansion should be promoted as a priority. To do this, Pernkopf himself took pen and ink and wrote to the Minister of the Environment, Leonore Gewessler, asking her to make important decisions quickly.
Fairer cost sharing required for network expansion
In the letter, which is also available for the ‘Krone’, the vice-president of the eco-state also calls for a fairer national distribution of the costs of network expansion. “To achieve the objectives of the energy transition, the states are confronted with enormous demands. This mainly affects Lower Austria. About 40 percent of the wind and PV electricity in all of Austria comes from Lower Austria. And as a federal state we will have to continue to increase the largest shares,” said the ÖVP politician.
Pernkopf also wants to convince the Green Party for greater integration of photovoltaic systems into the electricity grid, the construction of hydrogen infrastructure and battery storage, and the demand-driven night marking of wind turbines. “The necessary energy transition is one of the social challenges of our time and requires a real effort from everyone involved,” says Pernkopf. Lower Austria is prepared to make its contribution. “But the necessary preconditions must also be suitable for this.” PS: Pernkopf signed in green ink.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
