One of the most important gas hubs in Europe is located in Lower Austria. There, 40 billion cubic meters are distributed annually in all directions – probably also in the future. . .
Europe’s most complex gas turntable is located in Baumgarten an der March in the Weinviertel in Lower Austria, in the middle of nowhere. The region was always known as a local petroleum mecca and is now on everyone’s lips with its gas reserves. The pipelines from Russia, however, play an even greater role here.
An annual 40 billion cubic meters of natural gas flows through the plant near the Slovakian border. At about 30 kilometers per hour, it passes through filter separators – comparable to huge cigarette filters – as well as an ultrasonic metering station and gas compressors. 20 percent of the amount eventually goes to the domestic market and 80 percent is distributed in all directions.
The cross-border gas transports to the rest of Europe are then carried out by the transmission line operators. The major players in the country are Gas Connect Austria (GCA) and towards Italy Trans Austria Gasleitungsgesellschaft.
Deliveries abroad
The gas traders, also known as ‘shippers’, book the transport capacities with them. At the moment, however, the booking status is not too rosy and profits are “low” despite rising prices: “Compared to previous summer months, about half of the usual gas flows. Milan’s industry and the Bavarian pharmaceutical triangle are supplied from here. But Hungary and Slovenia also depend on our lines. However, we are only responsible for gas transit and not for sales or production,” said GCA spokesman Armin Teichert.
50 employees
The deployment of personnel is therefore also economical. Only 50 GCA employees ensure that everything runs smoothly in Baumgarten. A life’s work for factory manager Herbert Loibl. The 61-year-old “gasman” has been in the business since 1981 and knows the industry: “Our lives are a sine curve. The end of gas and oil was predicted decades ago, and now everything is different again. I’m just glad people are recognizing how important fossil fuels are,” says Loibl. Baumgarten does not want to hear about a complete stop of deliveries: “It goes on, and then we are there.”
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.
