Austria’s government plans to downsize its gas network as more households turn to alternative heating, leaving the remaining gas users with higher bills.
“A smaller gas network is a cheaper network,” Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler told ORF.
With fewer gas users, the costs of maintaining the network will be spread across a smaller customer base, which energy providers predict could lead to an additional €60 per year per household. To reduce these rising costs, the government is looking to reduce the gas infrastructure.
Thousands Moving to Alternative Heating
In the past 22 months, around 72,000 Austrian households have already replaced their gas heating systems, supported by grants of up to €23,000 per home, depending on the replacement chosen. Of the €3.7 billion funding pool dedicated to these upgrades, €900 million remains unspent.
In Vienna, applications for subsidies for alternative heating systems for homes, in both single-family and multi-family buildings, can be made here.
Last year, Austria’s gas consumption totalled 75 terawatt-hours, but this is expected to fall by over half to about 35 TWh by 2040, as the nation continues its transition away from gas.
Long-Term Vision for a Smaller Gas Network
Currently, Austria’s gas network spans roughly 2,000 kilometres of pipelines and 44,000 kilometres of distribution lines. However, long-term plans suggest only a portion of this network will remain. Austrian Gas Grid Management (AGGM) board member Bernhard Painz recently noted that only a fraction is expected to be kept.
AGGM, which is responsible for gas distribution and transit in Austria, says that decommissioning plans were approved by the EU in May under the Gas Market Directive, and these will now need to be translated into Austrian law.
