VERBUND, Austria's leading energy company and one of Europe's largest hydropower producers, is facing up to this challenge with vigour. The company made a clear commitment to the energy transition years ago and has consistently focussed on climate-friendly, resource-conserving and innovative solutions ever since. The focus is on the expansion of renewable energies, the withdrawal from fossil fuels and the commitment to nature and environmental protection. In this way, VERBUND is not only taking responsibility for the energy supply of tomorrow - but also for the ecological balance and quality of life of future generations.
VERBUND Climate Transition Plan - the path to Net-Zero
A central element of the corporate strategy, Mission V, is the Climate Transition Plan - a clearly defined path with measurable targets and measures for decarbonisation. By 2030, CO₂ emissions in Scope 1, 2 and 3 (excluding Category 2*) are to be reduced by 74% compared to 2020. VERBUND is aiming for a reduction of 90% by 2040. And by 2050 at the latest, the company aims to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.
*Category 2: Emissions are indirect emissions from investments in the decarbonisation of the energy system.
Concrete measures for a green energy future
But ambitious targets alone are not enough - they need clear implementation. VERBUND is therefore pursuing an integrative approach based on a wide range of measures. The centrepiece is the consistent expansion of renewable energy sources: Hydropower remains the backbone of electricity generation, supplemented by the steadily growing use of wind power and photovoltaics.
In addition, storage systems such as pumped storage plants and battery storage are being developed to ensure the flexibility and stability of the electricity supply. At the same time, VERBUND is modernising the electricity grids, driving forward digitalisation and investing in intelligent solutions for sector coupling, for example in the areas of e-mobility and the hydrogen economy.
Ecological responsibility on the waterfront: investing in biodiversity
In addition to the energy transition in the technical sense, VERBUND is also committed to protecting natural habitats. As the operator of numerous hydropower plants, the company bears a special responsibility for local ecosystems. VERBUND is investing around 400 million euros in ecological measures by 2027 - with the aim of strengthening biodiversity and improving water ecology.
This includes projects such as the construction of fish migration aids, the renaturalisation of river banks and the restoration of near-natural river landscapes. These measures enable fish to resume their natural migratory movements and promote biodiversity in and along rivers.
