O.Ö. Energiesparverband (ESV)
O.Ö. Energiesparverband (ESV) is the regional energy agency of Oberösterreich/Upper Austria, an industrial region in the Northern part of Austria. Thanks to a comprehensive regional energy plan, energy efficiency (EE) and renewable energy sources (RES) – which presently provide over 30 % of the total energy supply – have a high priority. By 2030, Upper Austria aims to cover 100% of its space heating and electricity from renewable energy sources. For solar thermal for example, recently 1 million m² were achieved, equalling 0.7 m² per inhabitant, the objective for 2030 is to reach 3 million m² (2.16 m² per inhabitant). ESV supports the regional government in the development of its energy strategies and is responsible for the implementation of most of its programmes.
The main activities of the agency include comprehensive information and awareness raising activities on sustainable energy production and use, e.g. the provision of energy advice to private ouseholds, public bodies and companies (more than 15,000 advice sessions/year), media campaigns, training courses or publications for different target groups. This also includes the organisation of meetings and events, e.g. the international conference World Sustainable Energy Days (750 participants from 56 countries in 20011).
ESV is also responsible for the management of the Oekoenergie-Cluster (OEC), which is the Upper Austrian network of green energy businesses. So far, more than 150 companies and organisations have joined the OEC partnership, they employ more than 6,200 people and achieve a total turn-over of 1,700 mio €.
