Burgenland Energie pauses hydrogen project pending new gas law

Burgenland Energie has placed its planned hydrogen project in Zurndorf on hold due to the absence of a new federal Gas Economy Law (GWG). Although the technical engineering and submission documents are complete, CEO Stephan Sharma stated that the legal framework is required to regulate how existing gas infrastructure will be used. The company intends to inject “green gas” produced in Zurndorf into public pipelines to supply industrial customers across Austria, thereby repurposing the existing network.

Despite this delay, the company reported progress in its “Strategie Change,” which aims for energy independence and climate neutrality by 2030. Since 2021, the share of energy produced locally in Burgenland has increased from approximately 50 percent to 75 percent. Burgenland Energie has also more than doubled its generation capacity and seen its corporate value rise from 800 million euros to 1.6 billion euros, making it Austria’s largest renewable energy company.