From September 2025 through August 2026, almost three-quarters of Austria’s electricity consumption came from low-carbon sources. Hydropower supplied about 43%, solar 14%, wind 12%, and biofuels 5%. Fossil fuels accounted for roughly 16%, including about 12% from gas and 2% from coal, while net imports covered nearly 10%. Austria therefore has a strong clean electricity foundation, although fossil generation still contributes to climate change and air pollution. The data do not specify the generation mix behind imported electricity.

Is Electricity Growing in Austria?

Austria’s latest figures do not show electricity consumption or low-carbon generation reaching new highs. Total electricity consumption in 2026 was about 7,960 kWh per person, roughly 980 kWh—or 11%—below the 2012 record of about 8,940 kWh. Low-carbon electricity generation was about 5,940 kWh per person, around 1,720 kWh—or 22%—below its 2024 peak of approximately 7,660 kWh. These comparisons establish a shortfall from historical records rather than a continuous downward trend, but the gap is concerning: electrification and growing AI demand call for more clean electricity, not stagnation.

Suggestions

Austria can build on its substantial existing solar and wind generation by expanding both, supported by stronger grids and storage. Nearby Germany demonstrates wind’s potential, obtaining almost a third of its electricity from wind, while Denmark reaches more than half. For solar, the US states of California and Nevada provide useful examples, with solar supplying roughly 31% and 35% of their electricity, respectively. Austria should also consider developing nuclear generation alongside solar and wind. Neighboring Slovakia obtains about two-thirds of its electricity from nuclear, while Czechia and Slovenia obtain around 40%; these nearby examples offer relevant lessons for building a diversified, dependable low-carbon electricity supply.

History

Austria’s low-carbon electricity history has been dominated by substantial hydropower fluctuations. In the 1970s, annual increases of roughly 3–5 TWh were interrupted by a 3.5 TWh decline in 1976; further gains of about 3–5 TWh occurred in 1987, 1992, and 1999. The 2000s brought a sharp 6.7 TWh fall in 2003, followed by gains of 3.7 TWh in 2004 and 3 TWh in 2009. During the 2010s, hydropower fell in 2011 and 2015 but surged by 10 TWh in 2012 and rose another 3 TWh in 2019. More recently, a 3.1 TWh decline in 2022 was followed by encouraging hydro gains of 6 TWh in 2023 and nearly 5 TWh in 2024, alongside a 3.2 TWh solar increase in 2023. However, hydro declines of 12 TWh in 2025 and 5 TWh in 2026 represent a worrying reversal, reinforcing the case for expanding solar, wind, and nuclear to strengthen clean electricity generation.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

* 12M = Last 12 months (Sep 2025 – Aug 2026) — a rolling 12-month period, not a calendar year.