Salzburg AG wants energy transition through crowdfunding

Today outgoing Salzburg AG board member Leonhard Scheitter – who will move to Energie AG Oberösterreich at the end of the year – spoke of a “win-win situation” for everyone involved. “Project operators, investors through the interest-bearing loan and, last but not least, the climate benefit.” Salzburg AG provides the platform and undertakes project consultancy, preparation of all documentation and handling of the funding campaign – if also desired to plan, build and operate the system.

More citizen participation

The costs incurred are covered by a processing fee paid by the project operators. Salzburg AG also wants to put its own systems on the platform. Engagement should connect citizens more closely to specific projects — also with the goal of increasing acceptance of the new regulations, Scheitter said. Green Investment aims to attract investors from all over Austria, and regional projects can also be located outside the borders of the state of Salzburg.

In the pilot phase in the first half of 2022, two schemes were funded on Green Investment. A subsidiary of the city of Zell am See (Pingzau) raised 180,000 euros within 14 days to install photovoltaic systems totaling up to 250 kW at two peaks in the lidos, a shower area, a camping site and on the roof of the congress center. Locally generated solar energy is used directly and extensively on site for recreational facilities. In May, the financing of a small hydroelectric power plant on the Alm Canal in the city of Salzburg was completed – 150 thousand euros were collected here. The platform is now open to new projects.