Salzburg AG: Record investments for more energy independence
Salzburg (Austria) Salzburg AG was able to keep sales at a stable high level in the 2021 financial year. At EUR 1.72 billion, sales were just above those of 2020. Earnings before taxes (EBT) rose to EUR 60.1 million. In order to actively support Salzburg on its way to more energy independence and climate neutrality, the company is investing a record budget of 324 million euros today. In summer, Salzburg AG will invest almost 1.6 billion euros in the expansion of sustainable, independent energy production and telecommunications over the next five years.
Governor and Chairman of the Supervisory Board Wilfried Haslauer: “The war in Ukraine showed us that there is no way around making Salzburg energy self-sufficient. To do this, we must above all continue to push ahead with the expansion of renewable energy and heat generation. With these investments, Salzburg AG is continuing on the path to more climate neutrality.”
Salzburg AG can keep sales at a high level
The company was able to keep sales stable at a high level of 1.72 billion euros. EBT increased to 60.1 million euros in 2021. “The war in Ukraine is dramatically changing the European continent. The situation makes it clear once again that we have to implement the conversion of our current energy system more quickly. This requires a solidarity. This feat of strength also goes hand in hand with the need for high investment funds,” explains Salzburg AG CEO Leonhard Schitter, “in order to accelerate independent energy and heat generation in Salzburg, the company is currently building the biomass thermal power plant Siezenheim II the CO2-neutral proportion of district heating in the Salzburg city network has been increased to a total of 40 percent. The plant will go into operation at the end of 2023. Grid expansion is also closely linked to the expansion of renewable energies: in 2022, Salzburg AG and its subsidiary, Salzburg Netz GmbH, will invest around 121 million euros in stable grids.
Innovative solutions for a sustainable energy future
With special products and services, Salzburg AG also wants to make its customers an active part of the energy transition. This can be achieved with energy communities, among other things. A first pilot project is currently being implemented in Hallwang: The Roser printing works uses the electricity from the photovoltaic system installed on the roof of the company building during the week, and on the weekends the residents benefit from the locally produced electricity. The technical solution comes from Salzburg AG.
Outlook 2022: Investment in an independent energy future
The expansion of renewable and independent energy generation is an essential part of the strategy of Salzburg AG: In 2022, the company is therefore pushing the expansion of district heating in the city of Salzburg. Thanks to the “Süd-West-Bange”, an additional 600 customers from Maxglan to Himmelreich can be supplied with climate-friendly heat in the future. In order to complete the construction work on the Rotgülden power plant, which started in 2021, 2.5 million euros will flow into this project.
Balance sheet 2021: More energy for end consumers
After the corona-related losses in 2020, the electricity supply to end customers in the grid area of Salzburg Netz GmbH has increased. Grid sales to end customers increased in the electricity sector to 3,625.8 GWh (2020: 3,540.9 GWh). In district heating, the total generation increased from 899.3 GWh in 2020 to 975.5 GWh in 2021.
Salzburg AG honored as the best employer
In 2021, Salzburg AG was again recognized by the market.institut as one of the best employers in the state. The company took second place in the overall ranking. As a growing green tech company, Salzburg AG was able to recruit numerous new employees last year: As of the balance sheet date, the company employed 2,457 people (this corresponds to 2,317 full-time employees) and thus 123 more people last year. “Due to the upcoming wave of retirements by the baby boomer generation, Salzburg AG will need many new workers in the coming years. Here on the labor market we are in strong competition with other large employers for the best minds. For us, that means that we have to become more attractive as an employer outside of our federal state as well,” says Schitter, explaining Salzburg AG’s employer branding strategy.
Broadband for everyone
The nationwide supply of Salzburg with gigabit-capable Internet is the prerequisite for digitization throughout the state. A few years ago, Salzburg AG began investing heavily in broadband expansion. From 2018 to 2021, more than 100 million euros were mobilized for this. This way will also be in 2022. Salzburg AG is spending around 35 million euros this year on expanding the Internet infrastructure. The upgrade of the cable TV network to DOCSIS 3.1 in October 2021 made the network gigabit-capable. This means that all households with cable TV will soon have an Internet connection with one gigabit per second. In 2021, Salzburg AG was able to gain another 6,600 CableLink customers.