Austria has officially commissioned its largest wind farm in the region of Burgenland, marking a major milestone in the country’s energy transition and reinforcing its industrial strategy and security of electricity supply.

Developed by Burgenland Energie, the facility comprises 23 wind turbines with a total installed capacity of 122 megawatts (MW) and is expected to generate 251 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity annually, enough to supply around 70,000 households. The project supports Burgenland’s ambitious target of achieving net-zero energy production by 2030, based on wind, solar and energy storage solutions.

During the official inauguration, Austria’s Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Peter Hanke, highlighted the strategic importance of the project in the context of the country’s industrial policy. “Austria relies heavily on electricity imports during the winter months. Expanding wind power generation, which is particularly strong during this period, is therefore essential to ensure security of supply,” he said, adding that the wind farm is one of the key infrastructure projects outlined in the national industrial strategy.

Higher efficiency with fewer turbines

The project involved a large-scale repowering process, in which 44 old turbines were dismantled and fully recycled, making way for 23 new, more efficient units. According to Stephan Sharma, CEO of Burgenland Energie, this upgrade has allowed the company to double electricity production while halving the number of turbines, significantly improving efficiency and land use.

“This major infrastructure project demonstrates Austria’s ability to move towards greater energy independence and reduce its reliance on foreign energy sources,” Sharma said, adding that the next phase will include the development of a hybrid agro-photovoltaic park at the same site.

The wind farm is part of Burgenland’s strategic “Project Tomorrow” programme and has been implemented in cooperation with the European Investment Bank (EIB), making it a flagship project at European level. Authorities underlined its positive impact on the regional economy, particularly in terms of value creation and job generation.

Burgenland Governor Hans Peter Doskozil said the project sends a strong signal by boosting domestic renewable power generation for industry while strengthening Austria’s competitiveness and energy sovereignty.

Hybrid and storage projects gaining momentum

Elsewhere in the region, a hybrid agri-photovoltaic power plant in Parndorf, developed by oekostrom AG, Green Planet Energy eG and the municipal utility of Hartberg, has entered its trial operation phase. Once fully operational, the 17 MWp facility will supply electricity to approximately 6,320 households.

By combining wind and solar power, the project is expected to increase annual operating hours from 2,000 to 4,000, effectively doubling efficiency. The development also includes a battery energy storage system, currently undergoing the permitting process, which will further enhance grid stability and flexibility.

With these initiatives, Burgenland is strengthening its position as one of Europe’s leading hubs for renewable energy, advancing integrated solutions that combine clean generation, storage and sustainable regional development.