Vienna's energy shift: Goodbye gas, hello renewables
Vienna is gradually moving away from natural gas due to rising prices and sanctions on Russia. The city is focusing on renewable energy sources (RES), reducing its gas demand.
Vienna, the capital of Austria, is taking decisive steps towards eliminating the use of natural gas. The main reasons for this decision are the rising cost of the resource and the sanctions imposed on Russia, Austria's main gas supplier. In response to these challenges, the city is actively investing in renewable energy sources (RES).
Rising gas prices and sanctions on Russia
According to the energy provider Wiener Netze, an increasing number of homeowners in Vienna are opting to replace gas with renewable energy sources. This action not only reduces the demand for gas but also allows for the shutdown of approximately 10 to 15 kilometres of gas pipelines each year.
The symbolic first kilometre under the Prater Bridge was dismantled in the summer of last year. The operator estimates that by 2040, about 4,000 kilometres of the gas pipeline network will be dismantled.
Transition to renewable energy sources
The trend of moving away from gas in Vienna and across Austria seems irreversible. This is influenced by the development of district heating and system heat networks, as well as government projects encouraging the abandonment of gas.
The Ministry of Climate Protection reports that since the launch of the "Say Goodbye to Oil and Gas" programme on 1 January 2023, over 73,800 funding applications have been submitted, with 2,865 in Vienna.
Vienna is focusing on a future based on renewable energy sources, which is in response to the global challenges related to climate protection and the rising costs of traditional energy resources. This approach not only supports sustainable development but also increases the city's energy independence.
