After the end of Russian gas deliveries, Austria has reoriented its energy supply. OMV and Wien Energie are now relying more heavily on Norwegian natural gas, with smaller amounts coming from North Africa and LNG from the US. This strategic reorientation is proving costly and is being borne by taxpayers.
OMV and Wien Energie, the country’s two largest energy providers, had to quickly reorient themselves after the sudden stop of Russian gas deliveries in late 2024. While OMV shifted to its own production and Norwegian gas, Wien Energie had already begun diversifying its supply sources since 2022. In the 2023/24 heating season, a third of the gas demand for district heating came from Norway. Since the beginning of 2025, the company has been relying exclusively on non-Russian energy sources, with more than 80 percent of the gas coming from Norwegian gas fields.
Since there is no certification system for gas, Wien Energie must have the non-Russian origin of its natural gas confirmed through notarized statements. This bureaucracy incurs additional costs of around five million euros, which the company bears itself.
Although Austria aims to be carbon neutral by 2040, natural gas remains essential for the energy supply. Experts like Vegard Wiik Vollset from Rystad emphasize that gas will continue to play a crucial role, especially during times of weak renewable energy production.
Alternatives like green hydrogen are currently not available in sufficient quantities or economically viable. Therefore, Austria remains dependent on foreign gas, even after switching to new suppliers.