In this week’s Inside Austria we look at whether Austria’s power supply can cope with the summer heat, and the most affordable outdoor pools to visit as temperatures soar.
Inside Austria is our weekly look at some of the news, talking points, and gossip in Austria that you might not have heard about. It’s published each Saturday, and members can receive it directly in their inbox by going to their newsletter preferences or adding their email to the sign-up box in this article.
Is Austria’s power supply at risk during heatwaves?
With temperatures hitting 37C in Vienna this week and heat warnings issued in Carinthia, many residents are wondering whether Austria’s electricity grid can cope. Across the Balkans last summer, soaring demand for air conditioning contributed to large-scale blackouts affecting millions. Spain experienced a major blackout recently,, partially attributed to heat and climate change events, and just this Friday, the Czech Republic faced a blackout that remains unexplained at the time of writing.
Could Austria face the same fate?
Experts say a widespread blackout here remains unlikely, according to a Der Standard report.
Johannes Schmidt from the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Vienna said that summer is generally less of a stress test for the grid than winter. At most, smaller transformers could fail under peak demand, but major outages are not expected.
However, heat does affect energy production and transmission. Photovoltaic systems, now an important part of Austria’s renewable energy supply, become less efficient in extreme heat due to increased electrical resistance, even though longer daylight hours still boost overall production. Hydropower output may also drop if hot, dry spells reduce water availability.
Austria’s integration into the European power market provides a buffer, as fluctuations in one country can be offset by those in others. However, prolonged heat across the continent could lead to increased prices, with short-term spikes already being observed.
According to Demet Suna from the Austrian Institute of Technology, there is no need to panic. The grid is robust, but climate change is putting Europe’s energy infrastructure under growing stress. She highlights the importance of investing in storage technologies to ensure renewable power remains reliable on hot evenings when cooling demand is highest.
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Where to find Austria’s cheapest outdoor pools
With temperatures soaring across Austria, cooling off at an outdoor pool is the perfect way to spend the day. But entry fees can quickly add up, especially for families or those visiting regularly over summer.
A new price comparison by the platform Urlaubshamster shows that swimming doesn’t have to break the bank. In Salzburg, for example, Strandbad Seekirchen offers free entry for everyone. In Styria, the 3 Tannen Bad Vorau costs just €4.50 for adults, while Burgenland’s Eisenstadt outdoor pool is only €4.70.
Here’s what you can expect to pay at some of the cheapest pools in each province: Vienna’s pools, such as the Congressbad, Gänsehäufel, or Krapfenwaldbad, cost €7.60; Parkbad Linz in Upper Austria charges €5.60; and Freibad Tivoli in Innsbruck costs €6.30.
Whether you’re looking for a quick dip after work or a full day of sunbathing, there are affordable options in every region.
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What else happened this week?
