Burgenland Energie offers residents a fixed 3% annual return

Burgenland Energie is launching a five-year participation offer with a fixed annual payment of 3%, ORF reported. It is open to residents of 31 municipalities where the company has built wind or photovoltaic plants.

Packages are available for 500, 2,500 or 5,000 euros. Participants will receive their full investment back when the contract ends. The annual payment is not linked to the energy produced by the plants.

Burgenland Energie chief executive Stephan Sharma said a 500-euro package gives participants a share in two photovoltaic panels and a share in one of the company’s wind parks. The company will handle operations, maintenance and insurance. Its wholly owned subsidiary BE Energy GmbH is the contractual partner.

Burgenland aims to achieve energy independence by 2030. Regional governor Hans Peter Doskozil said involving residents and allowing them to benefit directly was an important part of the region’s approach.

Since 2021, Burgenland has increased the share of its total energy needs that it generates itself from about 50% to around 75%, Sharma said. He described the figure as unique in Austria.