A secure, cost-efficient and environmentally friendly energy supply is a basic prerequisite for the competitiveness of the domestic business location. The Upper Austrian Chamber of Commerce is therefore committed to accelerating the expansion of renewable energy generation and energy infrastructure.Windpark Munderfing and the Agri photovoltaic plant EWS Sonnenfeld Pischelsdorf recently DI (FH) Robert Mairhofer as Head of Energy and Sustainability at the Upper Austrian Chamber of Commerce and his predecessor Ing. Otto Kalab, MSc convinced us of how well planned renewable energy plants can be integrated into the Upper Austrian landscape in close consultation with the municipalities and their citizens. It is important to select system-compatible locations for wind and PV expansion throughout Upper Austria in order to optimally utilise the many regional wind and weather conditions.
"It is essential that we need neutral zones for wind power projects, which are subject to strict environmental impact assessments anyway. In any case, no exclusion zones!" Emphasises Wolfgang Neuhofer, Managing Director at EWS. As is well known, the Upper Austrian Chamber of Commerce is persistently campaigning for wind power projects to be made possible in Upper Austria
Energy policy in Upper Austria needs a plan!
"Both the investment costs and the electricity revenues are currently very volatile and difficult to calculate. Even if the new ElWG has a stabilising effect, it is still difficult to plan sustainably due to many individual interests: Landowners have exaggerated lease expectations, municipalities are hoping for tangible contributions to empty coffers and industry wants the cheapest electricity," says Wolfgang Neuhofer, addressing the dilemma in the renewable energy sector.
In order for companies to have planning security and investment security, clear and reliable framework conditions are needed at all levels - from the federal and state governments to the municipalities and the EU. It is the task of politicians to pursue a forward-looking energy policy. However, Upper Austria lacks an ambitious plan for this.
On behalf of the entire EWS team, we would like to thank you very much for your visit and your genuine interest in our work. As an Upper Austrian company, we hope for support so that we can not only achieve the energy transition, but also secure, independent and affordable electricity generation for us all.
