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Positive effects of bioenergy subsidies confirmed
According to the Prognos study, bioenergy subsidies in the area of local and district heating and boiler replacement contributed to achieving the Austrian subsidy goals.
Positive effects of bioenergy subsidies confirmed
In particular, the boiler replacement as part of the “Get out of oil and gas” measure that has expired was able to score points with an above-average performance, according to a press release. The study came to the conclusion that this funding measure made decisive contributions in all six impact dimensions.
Effect on all six levels
In addition to the goal of reducing CO2 and strengthening security of supply, this also includes the positive economic effects on domestic value creation and jobs. In total, a pellet boiler funded with 10,000 euros brings the state income of around 55,000 euros over a period of 20 years. In practice, the support paid off for the state through VAT and wage tax revenue even before it was paid out, as was recently evaluated in a study by the Austrian Energy Agency. This means that the boiler replacement funding proves to be a win-win situation with multiple positive effects. In addition, according to the broadcast, it can be concluded that subsidies for bioenergy meet the requirement of efficient, effective and budget-friendly use of tax money.
Clear framework conditions necessary
In order to continue this successful model, effective funding must be continued and appropriate follow-up funding for “Get out of oil and gas” must be implemented quickly, according to the release. Both consumers and companies now need clear and reliable framework conditions that enable the switch to sustainable heating systems and guarantee planning security. The authors of the Prognos study also come to this conclusion by pointing out that the aim of support measures should be a reliable support framework that “relies less on short-term bonuses and more on long-term measures”.
In order to achieve the goal of climate neutrality by 2040, around 60,000 fossil heating systems would have to be replaced with renewable systems every year. Bioenergy demonstrably contributes to achieving goals both in the area of individual combustion systems and in the area of local and district heating. However, the continuation of appropriate and long-term support systems is the decisive prerequisite for using this potential in the future.
Read more in the Prognos study or in the Austrian biomass strategy.
