Austria adopts new feed-in tariffs
The Austrian Economics Ministry has published new feed-in tariffs for 2013 on its website. The Ministry says the changes – both reductions and increases – "support the efficient growth of renewables."
On Tuesday, the Ministry published the new feed-in tariffs for 2013 on its website in German. Most of the reductions are quite moderate, and the ministry says they are needed to bring renewables "closer to the market."
The tariffs for wind power have only been reduced by 0.5 percent from 9.5 cents per kilowatt-hour in the second half of 2012 to 9.45 cents, which the Ministry says will provide an incentive for new turbines in "efficient locations." Austria has set aside 11.5 million euros for new wind turbine installations each year.
For photovoltaics, no support is provided for arrays larger than 500 kilowatts to prevent a small number of utility-scale projects from using up most of the budget. In addition, building-integrated arrays will now receive not only feed-in tariffs, but also an upfront investment bonus. The Ministry says this change will lower the impact of photovoltaics on the grid by allowing more solar power to be consumed directly.
Building-integrated systems therefore now receive 19.7 cents per kilowatt-hour in addition to 30 percent of the upfront cost up to a limit of 200 euros per kilowatt, which the Ministry says is equivalent to a feed-in tariff of 21.96 cents. In 2013, the feed-in tariffs will drop to 18.12 cents, and future feed-in tariffs will be reduced by eight percent per year. Otherwise, ground-mounted arrays smaller than 500 kilowatts will be eligible for 16.59 cents per kilowatt-hour in 2013, 10 percent less than the current 18.43 cents.
Small hydropower can now choose between a 30 percent upfront bonus or feed-in tariffs starting at 10.6 cents per kilowatt-hour for the first 500,000 kilowatt-hours for the smallest systems, with the rate dropping as low as 5 cents per kilowatt-hour for systems larger than two megawatts for the power exceeding 7,500,000 kilowatt-hours. These rates will drop by 0.5 percent in 2013.
Biomass is only eligible for feed-in tariffs if used in cogeneration units. Depending on the specific system, between 11 and 18 cents per kilowatt-hour is paid for small units, which constitutes an increase to keep up with the rising cost of raw materials, the Ministry sets. In 2013, these rates will be reduced by 0.5 percent. (Craig Morris)
