Austria launches storage offensive to manage solar energy peaks

Austria has announced a ‘storage offensive’ to reshape its energy policy in response to rising solar power generation. The Ministry of Economic Affairs aims to address the growing price gap between cheap midday electricity and expensive evening power by prioritizing battery storage, energy management systems (EMS), and grid infrastructure.

A study commissioned by the ministry suggests the country could reach 8 GW of market-oriented battery capacity by 2030. The initiative follows observations of significant volatility in wholesale prices; for instance, midday prices have dropped to approximately €14/MWh while evening prices can reach €180/MWh when solar output declines.

Starting in 2027, the government will reform its photovoltaic subsidy framework. The new system will move away from the ‘first-come, first-served’ model, which previously saw budgets exhausted in seconds, toward a system where subsidies can be requested after installation. Financial support will shift from standard small-scale solar PV toward intelligent management and storage solutions to increase self-consumption and reduce grid congestion.