The Austrian Government has introduced market premium regulation for onshore wind.
This will mean an increase in the maximum bid prices for the onshore wind market premium and a rise in tender volumes.
The maximum bid value was adjusted to the current market situation and increased from 9.28 to 9.60 cents/kWh.
The tender volumes were increased from 400MW to 582MW for 2024 and to 500MW for 2025.
This means that a tender volume of 282MW will be available for the first tender date on May 14th.
The compensation for differences in yield due to wind conditions has been made somewhat stricter in high-yield locations.
For wind farms on mountain sites, the surcharge was also increased from up to 7.66% to up to 8.13%.
IG Windkraft welcomed the announcement saying both measures are urgent prerequisites for a progressive expansion of wind power in Austria.
Stefan Moidl, managing director of IG Windkraft, said: “We are very pleased that the Market Premium Ordinance has come into force.
“This is an important step for planning security for the years 2024 and 2025.”
The market premium regulation for 2024 and 2025 was published in the Official Journal today and now comes into force.
For the next two years, the bidding dates as well as the volumes for the tenders and the maximum bid value of the market premium have been determined.
This created planning security and clarity in the funding system for wind power in Austria, according to the representative body.
Moidl added: “The wind industry is very pleased that this regulation has now created a secure funding situation for wind power.
“The increases in the maximum bid value and the funding volume were urgently needed.
“Due to rising system prices, high interest rates and inflation, this higher value is a necessary prerequisite for future wind power expansion.
“The higher volumes have also become necessary due to the lower wind power expansion in recent years so that the objective of the Renewable Energy Expansion Act (EAG) can still be achieved.”
However, there are still medium-term requirements for the European Union’s targets and for achieving the climate neutrality target by 2040 will require significantly higher tender volumes, the representative body said.
Wind power projects with around 1200MW have currently received EIA approval in the first instance and 850MW are currently in the ongoing approval process – all projects that will soon be able to apply for funding.
Moidl said: “A tender volume of 1000MW will be necessary in the coming years.
“The market premium regulation is an important incentive and basis for planning, especially for the development of new projects.”