Energy Policies of IEA Countries: Austria 2014 [electronic resource] /
IEA.
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and DevelopmentContributor
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and DevelopmentContent Provider
Paris : IEA,
2014.
The International Energy Agency's 2014 review of Austria's energy policy analyses the energy policy challenges facing Austria and provides sectoral studies and recommendations for further policy improvements. It finds that Austria's energy policy  rests on three pillars - security of supply, energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. The country's decarbonisation drive has strengthened as the economy and renewable energy use have continued to grow, while fossil fuel use has decreased. Notably, Austria has more than tripled the public funding for energy research, development and demonstration since 2007. Greenhouse gas emissions from energy use, which peaked in 2005, still need to be reduced further, and the transport sector offers prime opportunities for this. In the context of EU negotiations on an energy and climate policy framework to 2030, Austria should develop a strategy that also integrates security of supply and internal market dimensions. Closer cross-border integration of both electricity and natural gas markets and systems is required to build a single European market. This calls for increased co-ordination and co-operation with neighbouring countries. Austria should also encourage investment in networks, optimise demand response and integrate variable renewable energy supply in a cost-effective and market-based manner. A well-functioning internal market can help reduce the growing concerns over energy prices and costs, both for industry and for citizens. Austria could address these concerns also by implementing more energy efficiency measures and facilitating greater retail market competition.  
1. Executive summary and key recommendations 9 -Executive summary 9 -Key recommendations 12 PART I. POLICY ANALYSIS 15 2. General energy policy 17 -Country overview 17 -Supply and demand 18 -Institutions 21 -Key policies 21 -Assessment 23 -Recommendations 25 3. Energy efficiency 27 -Final energy use 27 -Institutions 30 -Targets 30 -Sectoral policies and measures 32 -Assessment 35 -Recommendations 37 4. Climate change 39 -Targets and objectives 39 -Institutions 40 -Energy-related CO2 emissions 40 -Assessment 43 -Recommendations 45 PART II. SECTOR ANALYSIS 47 5. Natural gas 49 -Overview 49 -Supply and demand 49 -Institutions 52 -Market reform 53 -Infrastructure 54 -Security of supply 57 -Supply and retail 57 -Prices and taxes 58 -Assessment 59 -Recommendations 61 6. Coal 63 -Overview 63 -Supply and demand 63 -Assessment 64 -Recommendation 65 7. Oil  67 -Supply and demand 67 -Infrastructure 70 -Market structure 74 -Emergency response policy and reserves 74 -Prices and taxes 76 -Assessment 78 -Recommendations 79 8. Electricity 81 -Supply and demand 81 -Institutions 84 -Industry structure 85 -Recent legislation 86 -Infrastructure 87 -Prices and tariffs 92 -Assessment 93 -Recommendations 95 9. Renewable energy 97 -Supply 97 -Institutions 99 -Policies and measures 99 -Assessment 103 -Recommendations 106 10. District heating and combined heat and power production 107 -Supply and demand 107 -Industry structure 110 -Assessment 113 -Recommendations 115 11. Energy technology research, development and demonstration 117 -Overview 117 -Institutional framework 117 -Policies and programmes 118 -Monitoring and evaluation 120 -Funding 121 -International collaboration 123 -Assessment 124 -Recommendations 125 PART III. ANNEXES 127 Annex A. Organisation of the Review 129 Annex B. Energy balances and key statistical data 133 Annex C. International Energy Agency "Shared Goals" 139 Annex D. Glossary and List of Abbreviations 141  
The International Energy Agency's 2014 review of Austria's energy policy analyses the energy policy challenges facing Austria and provides sectoral studies and recommendations for further policy improvements. It finds that Austria's energy policy  rests on three pillars - security of supply, energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. The country's decarbonisation drive has strengthened as the economy and renewable energy use have continued to grow, while fossil fuel use has decreased. Notably, Austria has more than tripled the public funding for energy research, development and demonstration since 2007. Greenhouse gas emissions from energy use, which peaked in 2005, still need to be reduced further, and the transport sector offers prime opportunities for this. In the context of EU negotiations on an energy and climate policy framework to 2030, Austria should develop a strategy that also integrates security of supply and internal market dimensions. Closer cross-border integration of both electricity and natural gas markets and systems is required to build a single European market. This calls for increased co-ordination and co-operation with neighbouring countries. Austria should also encourage investment in networks, optimise demand response and integrate variable renewable energy supply in a cost-effective and market-based manner. A well-functioning internal market can help reduce the growing concerns over energy prices and costs, both for industry and for citizens. Austria could address these concerns also by implementing more energy efficiency measures and facilitating greater retail market competition.  
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