This week, parliament will vote on the Renewable Gas Act. Chairman of the Farmers’ Union Strasser calls on all parliamentary groups to reach an agreement to reduce dependence on Russia. At least recently, the SPÖ and the FPÖ have been at odds with each other.
Austria’s energy supply is under scrutiny. The main reason for this is the geopolitical situation: the transit contract between Ukrainian energy supplier Naftogaz and Russia’s Gazprom for Russian natural gas, which currently accounts for 80 to 90 percent of Austria’s gas consumption, expires at the end of 2024. The Ukrainians have already stated several times that they do not want to extend the deal.
Although liquefied natural gas (LNG), which can be imported via Germany or Italy, is available for compensation, this could still have a significant impact on prices for consumers, according to an E-Control analysis.
Biogas as a solution
According to local experts, part of the solution could be sustainable red-white-red biogas. There are currently approximately 270 biogas plants in Austria. By refining it into biomethane, it can be fed directly into the natural gas network with virtually no energy loss. This mainly benefits the industry, which urgently needs this gas. The raw materials used are crop residues, manure, catch crops and other unused organic waste or even sewage sludge.
The digestate – the liquid or solid residual product of production – in turn serves as a valuable fertilizer for grassland or arable land. In total, the Renewable Gas Act is expected to save 4.2 million tons of climate-damaging CO₂ by 2030.
In the Council of Ministers on February 21, the federal government clearly spoke out in favor of stimulating biogas production in Austria and promoting the independence of our energy supply. The basis for this is the Renewable Gas Act (EGG), which should represent a milestone in the expansion of sustainable energy production in Austria and which will be voted on in parliament this week.
From 2030, 7.5 terawatt hours (TWh) of renewable biogas will be supplied to the Austrian gas network annually. The government program’s expansion target of 5.5 TWh was once again amply exceeded. “This is intended to cover 10 percent of Austria’s gas needs. On the one hand, we create independence – even from international price fluctuations – and on the other hand we stimulate regional value creation,” explains Georg Strasser, chairman of the farmers’ association.
The EGG was already discussed on 26 June in the Economic Commission of the National Council. In addition to the coalition partners ÖVP and the Greens, the NEOS was also convinced of the government proposal. However, due to the dissenting votes of the SPÖ and FPÖ, the necessary two-thirds majority for this law was not achieved.
In the run-up to this week’s plenary session, Strasser is therefore calling on the members of the National Council to pass this important law and obtain the necessary majority: “One thing is clear: anyone who disconnects biogas is switching on Putin gas. This law is a hugely important step towards energy independence, security of supply and ultimately affordable gas prices – because no one knows how prices on the world market will develop if Russia turns off the gas tap. The SPÖ and FPÖ must also be aware of this.”
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.
