Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium to Go Emission-Neutral

Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium to Go Emission-Neutral

The Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna. Image: APA/Rober Jaeger

 

Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium is set to become Europe’s first emission-neutral sports venue, city officials have announced.

In recent months, one of the largest geothermal systems in Vienna has been installed beneath the pitch, alongside an upgrade to the lighting system with energy-efficient LED technology.

On Monday, Sports Councillor Peter Hacker officially handed over the revamped training facilities to athletes from SK Rapid football club and the Vienna Football Association (WFV).

“This new training facility sets high standards for the renewal of Vienna’s sports venues,” said Vienna Sports Councillor Peter Hacker. “Thanks to geothermal energy and photovoltaics, more energy is generated than the stadium consumes. We combine this efficient use of energy with first-class sports facilities, which will now be available to the young footballers here.”

The decision to transform the stadium into an emission-neutral venue was made by the Vienna City Council in November 2023.

The ambitious project includes the installation of a solar power system on the stadium’s roof, as well as the use of renewable energy sources for heating. To support this, 270 geothermal probes, each 150 metres deep, were drilled beneath the natural grass pitches, totalling over 40 kilometres of drilling. Combined with underground collectors under the artificial turf and heat pumps, the system will generate up to 9,700 MWh of energy annually, enough to power over 900 Vienna households.

The construction of one of Vienna’s largest photovoltaic systems is now entering its next phase. With the coating of the stadium roof completed, the installation of solar panels will begin immediately after the ÖFB national team’s match against Slovenia on November 17, with the process expected to take around a year to complete.

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