VIENNA, April 13 Austrian Energy Minister Leonor Gewessler has prepared a bill to stop gas supplies from Russia, the Kleine Zeitung newspaper reported.< br />In February, Gewessler announced plans to explore options for exiting long-term contracts between OMV and Gazprom. They are valid until 2040. Later, OMV stated that in order to refuse Russian gas, legislators need to create a legal basis; if necessary, the company will be able to supply consumers in Austria with 100% non-Russian gas. As the republic's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg noted in March, Austria plans to completely abandon Russian gas by 2027.
Energy Minister Leonor Gewessler (Greens) has finalized her plans to phase out Russian gas supplies. Now she needs to get the approval of (the party of the current Chancellor Karl Nehammer) of the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) and a two-thirds majority in the National Council (the parliament of the republic),” the publication writes.
As the Austrian newspaper Kurier reported, Gewessler sent a bill to the government representative from the Austrian People's Party on a diversification obligation for gas suppliers. It is noted that the proposed amendments to the legislation are designed to reduce the share of Russian gas imports from approximately 90% to 0% in the 2027/2028 gas year (October 1 — September 30).
How The Kurier newspaper clarifies, citing a bill in its possession, the Energy Minister's legislative proposals include amendments to the Gas Industry Law, the Gas Diversification Law and the Energy Regulation Law. Starting from the 2024/25 gas year, every gas supplier in Austria will be required to provide evidence of an increase in the share of non-Russian natural gas.
In December 2023, 98% of Austria's gas imports came from Russia, in January 2024 — 97%, and in February — 87%.