Erneuerbare Energiegemeinschaften (EEG): Eine empirische Erhebung zum Status quo in Österreich

As part of the European Green Deal, comprehensive measures have been initiated to promote sustainable technologies, innovative energy solutions, and new corporate strategies with the aim of achieving climate neutrality in Europe by 2050. A central element of the energy transition is the concept of ¿Energy Sharing,¿ which enables the joint generation, use, and marketing of energy by end consumers. Austria implemented this concept in 2021 by enshrining energy communities in national law, thereby taking on a pioneering role in the European context. To assess the current Status quo of EEG in Austria, questionnaire surveys and guided interviews were conducted with key market players in the energy sector. The aim was to determine the status quo and analyze both challenges and success factors in the implementation and enforcement of EEG. This will enable recommendations for action and options for improvement to be identified. The results show that representatives of renewable energy communities (REC) rate the model as predominantly positive. In particular, they highlight economic advantages, such as financial relief through reduced electricity costs, as well as social added value, such as regional value creation and community participation. REC are thus seen as an effective tool for combating energy poverty and reducing energy costs for end consumers. In contrast, grid operators and electricity suppliers are sometimes critical of the model. They point to increased administrative and coordination costs while implementing and processing REC. From their perspective, positive effects, especially regarding grid stability or ecological improvements, have not yet been clearly identified. It can therefore be concluded that the REC currently acts primarily as a socio-economic instrument to provide financial relief for households. In addition, it can promote consumption behaviour that is more beneficial to the grid. In the long term, the further expansion of renewable generation facilities and the corresponding storage infrastructure could also have a greater ecological impact and make an additional contribution to achieving climate targets.