Vienna Power says it will phase out Russian Gas in 2025

Vienna's largest power company announced on Friday that it will phase out its use Russian natural gas by 2025. Austria is increasing its efforts to reduce its dependence on energy supplied from Russia after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Wien Energie has announced that clients, power plants, and district heating will be supplied with non-Russian natural gas. The company also said that the procurement of 2025 was completed in the last few days.

The company stated in a press release that a large portion of alternative gas supplies were sourced from the North Sea.

After the start of the Ukraine War, the European Union dramatically reduced its dependence on Russian gas. Austria is now the EU member most dependent on Russian supplies.

Peter Hanke is the City Councillor in charge of financial and economic affairs. He said, "Supply Security is our number one priority."

"Russia is not reliable for Europe as the past few years have shown," he added, adding that he gave municipal utility Wiener Stadtwerke, and its subsidiary Wien Energie, a "clear directive" to diversify their supply of gas.

Hanke said, "By 2025 the company will phase out Russian Gas, showing Austrians how they can achieve independence with decisive steps."

(source: Reuters)