Austria's Renewable Gas Act (EGG) passed the Council of Ministers

On 15 February, the Council of Ministers passed the EGG and sent it for review. According to the Federal Ministry of Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovations and Technology (BMK), it is intended to fix the expansion of Austrian biogas production. In Austria, at least 7.5 terawatt hours of green gas are to be fed into the gas grid annually. In 2030, the gas suppliers must replace 7.7 percent of the natural gas used today with domestic biogas. This share will increase annually until the target is reached. Only biogas produced in Austria can be counted. Imports do not count towards the quota.

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The Association of Gas and Heat Supply Companies (FGW) welcomes this political initiative, but sees a need for improvement and pleads for a cost-efficient and technology-open path. Among other things, it is noted that the EGG focuses exclusively on Austrian renewable gas (such as biomethane or hydrogen generated from green electricity). At the same time, the law pursues the goal of switching our gas supply entirely to renewable gas by 2040. The trade association pleads for the government programme to be adhered to in setting the target and for green gases from home and abroad to be allowed to meet the quota from 2030 at the latest. This is the only way to ensure that domestic industry and our households can be supplied with affordable climate-neutral gas.

Click here for the FGW's press release (only available in German).