Renovation of Danube Hydropower Plants

The funding program "Renovation of Danube Hydropower Plants" supports companies across Austria in the repair and modernization of power plant structures along the Danube. Under the sponsorship of the Federal Ministry of Finance (Presidential Department 5 – Participations and Real Estate), the federal government has been providing financial contributions since March 30, 2005, for major repairs to existing hydropower facilities. The goal is the long-term security and resilience of the Danube shipping routes as well as the maintenance of sustainable infrastructure in the fields of energy generation and transport accessibility. Operators such as Austrian Hydro Power AG, who carry out significant repair measures and can provide proof of costs, are eligible for funding.

The program grants a funding rate of 40% of the documented major repair expenses as a subsidy, thereby significantly alleviating the burden of large-scale repair investments. Eligible to apply are legal entities in the commercial sector planning or already implementing substantial renovation work on Danube hydropower plants. Applications can be submitted continuously and are based on contractual agreements for the compensation of shipping-related expenses. A key requirement is the proof of cost expenditures in order to claim the federal subsidy. Due to continuous awarding, there is no fixed deadline, allowing project proposals to be submitted promptly and as needed.