This question is examined annually by Prof. Nina Hampl and Dr. Robert Sposato in collaboration with Deloitte and Wien Energie in the Renewable Energies In Austria report series. At the core of this report lies a representative survey of over 1,000 participants conducted most recently in autumn 2019. Two clear signals emerged in this year’s report: a high level of acceptance for renewable energy technologies in general and broad support for climate policy measures.

As has been shown in the years before, the population holds a generally positive attitude towards renewable energy technologies: 77 % of the older respondents questioned are clearly in favour of building renewable energy technologies in their community. A number that is even higher among young respondents with 82 %. More specifically, photovoltaic power plants receive the broadest approval with 88%, followed by small hydropower with 74% and wind power with 67%.

An equally positive result was shown with respect to energy communities: Already around two thirds of the Austrian respondents are considering active participation in such communities, which allow private individuals to generate, consume, store and sell electricity or heat together. Austrian consumers attach particular importance to the fact that energy is generated locally and on the basis of renewable energy sources.

Albeit a little downslope from 2018 the group of potential electric car buyers also remains at a good level with 44 % considering to buy an electric vehicle as their next car. Again at 59 % young adults are even more interested in buying. Almost half of those interested in buying a car can imagine buying such a vehicle within the next five years.

Finally, with respect to the continuously dominant theme of climate change, the survey finds that there is a lot of support for planned policy measures regarding climate change mitigation. Two thirds of the respondents support the climate bonus for commuters who use public transport. A majority of 64 % would like an inexpensive 1-2-3 climate ticket for public transport, and 55 % consider CO 2 tariffs for non-climate-neutral imports to the EU to be sensible. Of particular interest to the Federal Government: an ecological tax reform with fewer taxes on work and fairer taxes on climate-damaging activities is conceivable for the majority surveyed respondents.

To find out more about the most recent report, download it here.