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14. May 2025

Recap of the 82nd General Assembly of the World Energy Council Austria

The 82nd General Assembly of the World Energy Council Austria recently took place under the leadership of President Dr. Michael Strugl and constituted a high-level event filled with valuable insights and forward-looking discussions on the future of energy.

A special thank-you goes to Dr. Berislav Gaso and OMV for their generous hosting, as well as to all members, partners, and friends of WEC Austria who attended in great numbers.

After the formal governance segment and an overview of WEC Austria’s current activities, the afternoon continued with a key highlight:

Panel Discussion – The Future Role of Natural Gas in the Global and National Energy Transition
The discussion explored the relevance and challenges of natural gas in a rapidly transforming energy landscape. One key takeaway: while gas will remain significant in the short term, long-term strategies must focus on integrating it into low-emission energy systems.

Panel participants included:

  • Dr. Michael Strugl, President of WEC Austria and CEO of VERBUND AG

  • Dr. Berislav Gaso, Vice President of WEC Austria and EVP of OMV AG

  • Dr. Valerie Hackl, Managing Director of Gas Connect Austria GmbH

  • Mag. Johannes Benigni, Director at JBC Vienna GmbH

Launch of the New Study “NextEnergy”
Another highlight was the presentation of the new study initiative “NextEnergy” by a highly respected team of experts. The study aims to provide a strategic analysis of future developments and options for Austria’s energy system.

The author team:

  • Univ.-Prof. Dr. Stefan Schleicher

  • Univ.-Prof. Dr. Thomas Kienberger

  • Univ.-Prof. Dr. Reinhold Lang

  • Dr. Angela Köppl

  • Ivo Wakounig, MSc

Young Energy Professionals Show What the Future Looks Like
The event concluded with a presentation by the Young Energy Professionals (YEP) working group on “Electricity Market Models.” The group impressed with a detailed analysis and practical recommendations for the future development of Austria’s electricity market design sending a strong signal for the next generation’s commitment to the energy transition.

Networking and Closing
After an afternoon full of expert input and fresh perspectives, the General Assembly ended with a relaxed and engaging networking session.