31 gas power plants, but the expiry date is closer
According to the industry association, there are in Austria 31 Gas kraftwerke. They cover an average of 15 percent of the electricity requirement sometimes up to 40 percent. In addition, there is, of course, that gas power plants also produce a lot of district heating. They are integral components for the domestic energy system. “You need flexible power plants that you can switch on at the push of a button,” says Vienna Energie CEO Michael Strebl. But gas power plants have an expiry date. Various large plants in Austria, also the largest, the Simmering power plant in Vienna, will be her in the mid-2030s planned life end to reach.
“Now you could say: then build Simply new Gas power plants, “says Strebl. The problem is that this is currently non -reindeer. “Nobody is investing in a power plant for charitable purposes,” says Verbund CFO Peter Kollmann. How power plant operators get money depends on the electricity market model.
Pay for fixed electricity
In Austria there is currently a so-called “Energy Only” market, in which only energy actually generated is remunerated. Gas power plants earn Only money when they are switched on. According to the Merit order principle, it usually depends on how high the price on the electricity exchange is. Power plant operator However, hardly earn at the price. In contrast to wind, water and solar power plants, the operating costs for gas power plants are higher- you have to buy gas as a fuel.
Pay for reserved capacity
The constant expansion of renewable energies reduces the time when gas power plants are needed. In Austria you reach Relatively few full load hoursbut must always be kept ready for operation. “The power plants simply don’t pay off,” says Strebl. The energy industry speaks of “Missing Money Problem“. As a potential solution, the so -called”Capacity market“Seen. Seen. Power generation capacities are sold, not the real electricity generation. The capacity of gas power plants could be paid for, even if your performance is not required at the end and you will remain readiness.
Lively debate under certain time pressure
According to the Verbund CEO Michael Strugl, there is In many countries the considerationto switch to such a capacity market, for example in Germany. A capacity market has existed in France since 2017. Operators of gas power plants see the market model a chance to revitalize gas power plants and keep them in use in the long term. However, critics see the danger that this will maintain less efficient technologies. You also don’t think of Decentralized solutionsabout many small power plants or electricity storage instead of less large gas power plants.
According to Strebl, it is important to choose a electricity market model that only to a subtle extent state -controlled be. How exactly a suitable capacity market could look like, there is a lively debate. In the meantime, however, the time pressure is increasing: “Even at an existing location, it takes seven to eight years for a new gas power plant to be built. The time to continue the continued existence of these systems to thinkSo is now.”