The Council of Ministers today decided to implement the Renewable Gases Act – 7.5 TWh should be fed in annually from 2030
Vienna (OTS) – “With the binding expansion targets for green gas, we are creating a milestone in the independent energy supply of our country with sustainable, domestic raw materials. Austrian agriculture and forestry have a crucial key role to play,” says Farmers’ Association President and ÖVP agriculture spokesman Abg.z.NR DI Georg Strasser on today’s decision in the Council of Ministers to implement the Renewable Gases Act (EGG). The law will now be submitted to the National Council; from 2030, 7.5 terawatt hours (TWh) of renewable biogas will be fed into the Austrian gas network every year.
“In the government program we have set ourselves the goal of promoting the expansion of green gas from Austria and are committed to not losing sight of this goal. Together with Agriculture Minister Norbert Totschnig, we have now achieved success. The government program’s expansion target of 5.5 TWh was once again significantly exceeded. Our farmers and foresters can become energy farmers by making this valuable resource available.”
Zwtl.: Great potential for biogas in Austria
There are around 270 biogas plants in Austria. By refining it into biomethane, it can be fed directly into the natural gas network, with hardly any energy being lost. This particularly benefits industry, which urgently needs this gas. Crop residues, manure, catch crops and other unused organic residues or even sewage sludge serve as raw materials. The digestate – i.e. the liquid or solid residue from production – in turn serves as a valuable fertilizer for grassland or arable land.
“Domestic agriculture and forestry can fully develop their potential in the production of sustainable biogas. Our farmers thus become key players in the independent supply of energy and help to gradually compensate for natural gas from other countries – especially Russia. No valuable food is used, but rather waste. By spreading the digestate on our fields, our farmers actively practice a circular economy, from which we all ultimately benefit,” says Strasser.
Zwtl.: Security of supply and climate protection in harmony with farmers
Because the same amount of CO2 is bound as released during the production of biogas, the environment also benefits. “Our farming families also make a valuable contribution to climate protection,” Strasser is convinced. “We also use the natural resources that are available on the doorstep or in front of the farm gate. This is sustainability in practice and a significant contribution to energy independence.”
The next step will now be to continue negotiations with the opposition parties in the National Council, said Strasser. “We need a two-thirds majority in the National Council for the final implementation of the EGG and we are confident that we will succeed. Ultimately, it’s about promoting security of supply and climate protection in harmony with our farmers.” (Conclusion)
Questions & Contact:
Christian Esterl, BA
Press Spokesman & Head of Communications
Tel.: +43 664 8850 9559
c.esterl@bauernbund.at
www.bauernbund.at
#Strasser #Domestic #biogas #independent #protects #climate
