Austria can celebrate the impressive achievement of drawing more than 80% of its electricity from low-carbon sources. This includes over half of the electricity being generated through hydropower, alongside significant contributions from solar and wind power, which together account for almost a third of the electricity share. Fossil fuels, on the other hand, make up about 15%, with gas being the primary contributor among them. Austria’s commitment to clean electricity generation is commendable, yet as the country moves forward, it faces the monumental challenge of electrifying sectors like transport, heating, and industry. This transition will demand significant increases in electricity availability, further emphasizing the need to enhance and expand low-carbon electricity generation.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, ENTSOE, Eurostat, IEA and World Bank. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Austria?
Currently, Austria's electricity consumption is witnessing a downward trend. The present electricity consumption stands at approximately 7973 kWh per person, which is noticeably lower than the previous peak in 2012 of 8943 kWh per person, reflecting a decline of nearly 1000 kWh. Likewise, the generation of low-carbon electricity has also seen a slight dip, with the current figure at 6431 kWh per person, compared to the previous high of 6521 kWh per person in 2012. This reduction in both overall and low-carbon electricity generation is concerning, especially in light of the growing demands that come with electrifying various economic sectors and integrating technologies like artificial intelligence. Austria must take proactive steps to reverse this trend and escalate both the production and consumption of clean electricity.
Suggestions
To ramp up low-carbon electricity generation, Austria could significantly benefit from bolstering its wind and solar power sectors. Both are already integral to the country’s electricity mix, providing considerable contributions to its green energy landscape. The expansion of solar, as evidenced by the recent increase of more than 10 TWh, presents a particularly promising path forward. Additionally, on a global scale, incorporating nuclear energy could offer Austria a reliable and stable source of clean electricity, complementing the intermittency challenges faced by wind and solar power. Prioritizing investments in these sectors will be crucial for Austria to meet future electricity demands sustainably while minimizing its reliance on fossil fuels and mitigating climate change impacts.
History
Looking back at Austria’s history of low-carbon electricity, we can trace significant advancements and fluctuations over the decades. Hydropower has seen various periods of growth, especially notable in the late 1970s and late 1980s, with significant increases also marked in 1999 and 2012. However, in the early 21st century, hydropower faced several setbacks as seen in years like 2003 and 2011 with notable declines. The last few years have brought renewed strength with 2023 seeing a rise, although this was followed by a substantial drop in 2025, highlighting the need for more diversified investments into low-carbon sources, particularly solar and possibly nuclear technology. These new investments align well with Austria's historic commitment to low-carbon electricity and are essential to ensure a sustainable future.
