Austria’s Largest State is Now 100% Powered by Renewables

The largest of Austria’s nine states now produces all of its electricity from renewable sources.

The premier of Lower Austria, which surrounds the city of Vienna, made the announcement November 5, to spark inspiration ahead of the international conference on climate change next month in Paris.

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Home to 1.6 million people, Lower Austria has invested three billion dollars in new solar, wind, and biomass power plants, and refurbishing the critical hydroelectric stations on the Danube River.

The Danube’s massive flow through the state’s hydro plants generates two-thirds of the state’s electricity needs. The last fossil fuel plants were shut down and replaced this year by the newer renewables.

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The push has generated more than just electricity; It’s created 38,000 “green jobs” since 2002 with a goal of 50,000 by 2030.

As a whole, the nation of Austria produces 75% of its power currently from renewable energy.

Photo from Nieder Oesterreich on Facebook

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