Overview
Ottensheim-Wilhering is a 179 MW hydroelectric power plant in Austria, operated by Verbund. It generates renewable energy from the Danube River.
Ottensheim-Wilhering is a hydroelectric power plant located on the Danube River in Austria, with an installed capacity of 179 megawatts. Operated by Verbund, a leading Austrian utility, the facility contributes to the country's renewable energy portfolio. As a run-of-river plant, it harnesses the flow of the Danube to generate electricity without significant water storage. The plant operates under the regulatory framework of the European Union's Renewable Energy Directive and Austria's national energy policies, which promote clean energy sources. Hydroelectric power is a mature technology in Austria, where mountainous terrain and abundant rivers support numerous such facilities. The 179 MW capacity places Ottensheim-Wilhering in the medium-to-large scale for hydroelectric plants in the region. Environmentally, the plant provides low-carbon electricity, displacing fossil fuel generation and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Its operation on the Danube, a major European waterway, is managed to balance energy production with ecological considerations, including fish migration and river flow management. The facility plays a key role in Austria's grid stability and renewable energy targets.
Environmental context
The plant's hydroelectric generation produces no direct CO2, SOx, or NOx emissions, contributing to Austria's clean energy mix. Its location on the Danube River requires careful management of water flow and fish passage to minimize ecological impact. The facility's run-of-river design reduces habitat disruption compared to storage dams, but still alters local hydrology and sediment transport.
Frequently asked questions
The Ottensheim-Wilhering hydroelectric plant is located on the Danube River in Austria, near the municipalities of Ottensheim and Wilhering in Upper Austria.
The Ottensheim-Wilhering power plant has an installed capacity of 179 megawatts (MW), making it a medium-to-large hydroelectric facility in Austria.
The plant is operated by Verbund, Austria's largest electricity utility and a leading operator of hydroelectric power plants in Europe.
Hydroelectric plants in Austria must comply with the EU Renewable Energy Directive and national water management laws, including requirements for fish passage, minimum flow, and ecological monitoring to protect river ecosystems.
Hydroelectric power is the backbone of Austria's renewable energy supply, accounting for over 60% of the country's electricity generation. Plants like Ottensheim-Wilhering provide clean, reliable baseload power and support grid stability.