Tyrol's energy transition: This is how Energie West is fighting against the emissions!

Tyrol's energy transition: This is how Energie West is fighting against the emissions!

Hall in Tirol, Österreich - Tyrolean Service-GmbH Energie West has established itself as an essential player in regional energy supply. With the unification of 21 smaller energy suppliers, the company supplies around 110,000 households and companies in Tyrol with electricity, which corresponds to a quarter of the region. The annual electricity generation of the members of Energie West is around 1100 gigawatt hours, of which around 600 gigawatt hours come from hydropower. This shows the commitment of the providers of sustainable energy supply, as [Krone] reports.

The central services of Energie West include contract and billing management, meter data management as well as comprehensive advice on power plant developments. Managing Director Arthur Egger emphasizes that the company's energy policy is geared towards stability, fairness and security of care instead of maximizing profits. This is an important step towards a more sustainable energy future in Tyrol.

energy projects in Tirol

The projects of the members illustrate the commitment to renewable energies. A hydropower plant in the Stanzertal already delivers electricity for 14,000 households. Innovative technologies are also used: Power-to-heat systems convert excess electricity into heat, with the largest system in Hall. In addition, the Stadtwerke Wörgl recently put a power-to-heat system into operation. An important project is also pending in Langkampfen, where a photovoltaic system of Stadtwerke Kufstein with an output of 1127 kilowatt peak will be put into operation by the end of the year.

Despite these positive developments, Tyrol still has to overcome challenges. According to [renewable energy], the region has the highest greenhouse gas emissions in Austria, and greenhouse gases have risen by 18 % in the past 30 years. The decline since 2005 is only 7 %, which remains below the average of 9 %. In order to achieve the climate goals by 2040, a constant reduction in emissions is required.

the need for the energy transition

Final energy consumption in Tyrol has risen by 55 % since 1990 and currently reaches 24 TWH, which corresponds to 8 % of the total Austrian consumption. In order to advance the energy transition, energy consumption must be halved over the next 20 years, which requires an annual reduction of 2.5 %. The proportion of renewable energies in total energy consumption is currently 46 % and places Tyrol in fourth place in Austria. With a proportion of 98 % hydropower on power consumption, Tyrol used to be an energy exporter, but is now energy importer with a minus of 0.3 TWh.

The potential for renewable energies, especially in the area of ​​hydropower and photovoltaics, should be used more. The first study by the Austrian Energy Agency on the climate balance and energy balance of the federal states is presented on April 8 and could provide important findings to improve the situation in Tyrol, as [ORF Tirol] noted.

Overall, it turns out that Energie West and the Tyrol region are on a promising path to ensure both the energy supply and to promote the necessary change into a more sustainable energy policy.