An unexpected electricity miracle in July
Austria has done it! July 2025 will go down in history as the month in which our country became an electricity export champion. Thanks to above-average rainfall and a remarkable increase in run-of-river power generation, Austria was able to export more electricity than ever before. But how did this astonishing result come about, and what does it mean for the future?
Rain as a savior in times of need
July began with a gloomy forecast. Run-of-river power generation was below the long-term seasonal average at 508 GWh in calendar week 27. But then the rain came! By the end of the month, generation rose to an impressive 904 GWh, a seasonal historical maximum. This near-doubling of production was the key to success.
Gerhard Christiner, Spokesman of the Board of Austrian Power Grid AG, explained: “The heavy rainfall towards the end of the month was able to compensate for the drought at the beginning. Overall, electricity production in July was good thanks to only a very slight decline in generation from renewables. Austria was an exporting country in July.”
An impressive balance sheet
The statistics speak for themselves: In July 2025, Austria exported 458 GWh of electricity abroad. On 22 days, more electricity was exported than imported in terms of balance. Compared to the previous year, in which electricity was exported on all 31 days of the month, the balance of 997 GWh was higher, but this year's performance remains impressive.
Total renewable electricity generation amounted to 6,075 GWh, only 2.9 percent less than in the previous year. The share of photovoltaic systems fell by 2.5 percent, while hydropower production fell by 1.2 percent. Only wind energy increased by 3.9 percent. Nevertheless, renewable energy sources accounted for about 93.5 percent of total feed-in in July.
The challenges of electricity grids
With the volatility of the power system and the pressure to integrate renewable energy sources, a high-performing electricity grid is becoming increasingly important. "In times of a challenging energy-economic overall situation, it is necessary to anticipate all of these developments," says Christiner. The expansion of renewables must not outpace the expansion of electricity infrastructure, otherwise they will have no room in the grid.
In July 2025, redispatch measures required to prevent overloads in the power grid resulted in costs of €53 million, an increase of €5.3 million compared with the previous year. These measures were required on 105 days, underscoring the need for greater grid capacity.
Domestic energy exchange
A high-capacity transmission network is crucial for distributing electricity surpluses within Austria. In July 2025, Lower Austria (421 GWh) and Upper Austria (287 GWh) fed the largest amounts of energy into the APG grid. Vienna (450 GWh) and Carinthia (173 GWh) drew the most power from the grid.
Increasing electrification as a trend
The electrification of all areas of life and the economy is progressing. In July 2025, Austria consumed 5,493 GWh of electricity from the public grid, an increase of 7.2 percent compared with the same month the previous year. This is a clear indication of rising electricity demand.
A glimpse into the future
Austrian Power Grid AG plans investments of €9 billion in grid expansion and conversion by 2034. These investments are crucial to achieving Austria's energy goals and ensuring security of supply. The expansion of electricity infrastructure will remain a central issue in the coming years.
Experts agree: Austria has the potential to become a leader in the use of renewable energy. With strong infrastructure and the right political support, the country can further strengthen its position as an electricity-exporting nation.
Conclusion: A nation in transition
In July 2025, Austria demonstrated that it is capable of shaping its energy supply sustainably while also deriving economic benefits from electricity exports. The challenges are significant, but so are the opportunities. With the right strategy and investments in infrastructure, Austria can become a role model for other countries.
The future of energy supply lies in our hands. It is up to us to set the course for a sustainable and secure electricity supply.
