Verbund AG, Austria’s leading electricity company, closed its Mellach coal-fired power plant, marking the end of the fossil fuel era for the country. The facility, located about 200 kilometers (124 miles) south of Vienna, was the last coal-fired plant left in operation.
State Secretary at the Environment Ministry Magnus Brunner, said:
With this day, we are reaching a major milestone: Austria is moving a little further towards climate neutrality. The economy is once again showing itself to be a strong partner in the fight against climate change. Because we have set ourselves ambitious goals that we can only achieve if everyone pulls together. With the closure of the last coal-fired power plant, Austria is showing the way to a sustainable future and is becoming a role model for others in Europe. The conversion of the location into an innovation site is a good example of how the path from the fossil energy world to an innovative and renewable future can be made.
The historic move marked Austria as the second European country (following Belgium) to eliminate generation from the dirtiest fossil fuel from its electricity grid. The government says it’s now looking towards renewable energy to fuel future economic growth.
Christoph Wagner, President of Renewable Energy Austria (EEÖ) said with conviction:
With the firing of the Mellach coal-fired power plant, the end of the fossil era was heralded in Austria. As a renewable energy industry, we welcome this step that VERBUND has taken with this. However, there is still a long way to go before climate neutrality is announced by the Federal Government in 2030. It is clear that renewable energies in Austria are the most important key to a sustainable exit from coal, gas, and oil and that we are ready for this historic task. Right now, in the emerging economic crisis, broad investments in renewables are not only a guarantee for climate-friendly energy but also in future-proof jobs.
Not only does this milestone in Austria’s energy history marks the passage into a renewable energy future, but it will also strengthen the country’s “economic independence” by dramatically reducing fossil-fuel imports.
Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler said:
The closure of the last coal-fired power plant is a historic step: Austria is finally getting out of coal from electricity and is taking another step towards phasing out fossil fuels. By 2030, we will convert Austria to 100 percent green electricity. The energy system is being remodeled cleanly, affordably, and, above all, safely. This also gives us economic independence: We are currently spending ten billion euros on imports of coal, oil, and gas. I am pleased that with the exit from coal, VERBUND is showing what we can achieve if we create a clean future together.
Verbund generates around 95% of its electricity from renewable energies, primarily hydropower, and is one of the largest hydropower producers in Europe.
Verbund Chief Executive Officer Wolfgang Anzengruber said:
Coal power generation in Austria is history. The future belongs to renewable energy.
On the way from old to the new economy, Mellach remains an important location for us, the ideal conditions for the development of future technologies.
Mellach is a prime location south of Graz as it’s centrally located and connected by rail, road, and power grid. Naturally, the site is being repurposed into an innovation hub. Included is a pilot plant for high-temperature electrolysis and fuel cell operation called Hotflex, where electricity is converted into hydrogen. The location is also being used as a testing grounds for large-volume battery storage systems – for on-site buffer storage at ultrafast charging stations for e-mobility (or elsewhere).
Shortly after, Sweden became the third European nation to eliminate the polluting fossil fuel from its electricity grid with the closure of the Stockholm Exergi AB’s Värtaverket plant two years ahead of schedule.
Kathrin Gutmann, Campaign Director for Europe Beyond Coal, said:
With Sweden going coal-free in the same week as Austria, the downward trajectory of coal in Europe is clear. Against the backdrop of the serious health challenges we are currently facing, leaving coal behind in exchange for renewables is the right decision and will repay us in kind with improved health, climate protection, and more resilient economies.
France, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Slovakia, and the UK, and are expected to follow suit by 2025 or earlier.
