{"id":22950,"date":"2025-11-24T21:38:40","date_gmt":"2025-11-24T20:38:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.haslinger-nagele.com\/gruenes-licht-aus-bruessel-fuer-oesterreichische-strom-netzreserve\/"},"modified":"2025-12-02T13:38:57","modified_gmt":"2025-12-02T12:38:57","slug":"gruenes-licht-aus-bruessel-fuer-oesterreichische-strom-netzreserve","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.haslinger-nagele.com\/en\/gruenes-licht-aus-bruessel-fuer-oesterreichische-strom-netzreserve\/","title":{"rendered":"Green light from Brussels for Austria\u2019s electricity network reserve!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

On October 7th, 2025, the European Commission<\/strong> announced that it had approved the Austrian state aid scheme<\/strong> to ensure security of electricity supply (network reserve<\/strong>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Background<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The so-called network reserve was already approved in 2021 with the aim of activating reserves to safeguard against shortages. It was limited until 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The current measure expands and extends this network reserve and replaces it with a new program that is to apply from October 2026 for five years. It provides that all types of capacities<\/strong>, including conventional power plants and storage facilities, can participate in competitive procedures. In this way, efficiency gains<\/strong> and cost limitations<\/strong> are to be achieved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Commission decision<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Commission has examined the measure under the EU state aid rules<\/strong> and found it to be compatible with the internal market. In particular, it took into account that the measure can counteract a genuine market failure or a systemic risk to the electricity supply. In addition, public tenders<\/strong> ensure fair competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Executive Vice-President and Competition Commissioner Teresa Ribera<\/em>, the scheme makes an important contribution to the security of electricity supply in Austria<\/strong> \u2013 and thus also to supply security in the European grid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Significance for Austria and the EU<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For Austria, this approval means two things: First, it creates planning certainty<\/strong>, as a legally secured instrument for the network reserve will be available from 2026 onwards. Second, it shows that Austria is acting in accordance with EU state aid requirements regarding capacity mechanisms and network reserve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the EU level, it is significant that the measure is open to various technologies<\/strong> \u2013 not only conventional generation, but also storage systems. In this way, Austria is following the trend toward more flexible<\/strong>, market-oriented systems for network and supply security<\/strong>..<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Assessment and outlook<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From a competition and electricity industry perspective, the approval is positive: The measure establishes a clear legal basis for capacity reserves without unnecessarily distorting competition. Nevertheless, some questions remain:<\/p>\n\n\n\n