ÖBB increases use of solar energy in western Austria

ongoing

ÖBB is working to install more solar panels in the states of Vorarlberg and Tyrol, with new installations planned on such buildings as train stations, track construction halls and terminal buildings. In Tyrol, five installation projects are under construction or in advanced planning stages, including 319 MWh worth in Innsbruck. The roofs over the platform at the Telfs-Pfaffenhofen will be pegged at 108 MWh whereas as the new track hall at Wörgl will be fitted panels for 112 MWh. In Voralberg, new solar panels at the station in Langen am Arlberg is slated to produce 108 MWh. In the majority of cases, the energy produced on site is fed back into the buildings and installations. The ongoing installation of solar panels is part of a 1-billion-euro investment campaign through 2030. ÖBB intends to generate an additional 230 GWh from hydroelectric power plants, wind turbines and solar panels. The 45 solar panels currently in use already produce 10,000 MWh. ÖBB has been using 100 percent green energy for its traction current since 2018, one-third of which is produced by the operator itself. ÖBB aims to increase this share to 40 percent in the current decade. The company’s stations and installations were switched over to 100-percent renewable energy in 2019.