Possibilities of cooperation in the field of renewable energy between Slovakia and Lower Austria

The Slovak Republic as well as Lower Austria have a lot of resources of renewable energy in their rural regions. The use of biomass, biogas, wind, solar energy and water power offers chances for the future to be more independent of fossil energy and to decrease the pollution of CQ2. There are about 190 biomass district heating-plants in Lower Austria, and most of them were supported by financial promotion of the European Union and national subsidies. Since several years Lower Austria and Slovakia have contacts and know- how transfer in the field of renewable energy. The INTERREG-programme is very helpful for a joint cross-border strategy , development and partnership. The possibilities of this programme were utilized well, especially for sustainable spatial and environmental development. This should be a good basis for further cooperation after the joining of the Slovak Republic to the EU. (author)