Austria to cut off Russian gas imports by 2028, Kleine Zeitung reports
Austrian Energy Minister Leonore Gewessler’s legislative
proposals, if approved by the National Council, are poised to markedly decrease
Vienna’s reliance on Russian gas by 2024-2025, with complete cessation of
imports anticipated by 2027-2028, the country’s largest regional newspaper
Kleine Zeitung wrote on April 13.
The proposals include amendments to the Gas Industry Act,
the Gas Diversification Act and the Energy Steering Act that would require Austrian
gas suppliers to gradually increase the share of non-Russian natural gas in
their imports, starting with 40% in the first year and eventually reaching 100%
by 2027-2028.
This move is in line with the broader agreement among EU
countries to cut off Russian gas by 2027. Up to 98% of Austria’s gas
imports came from Russia last December, 97% in January, and 87% in February.
Vienna’s decision to reduce its dependence on Russian gas
comes in response to Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and the
country is actively seeking alternative suppliers to ensure energy security.
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