Impact Assessment of the Energy Model Region NEFI – New Energy for Industry

The NEFI (New Energy for Industry) Impact Assessment, commissioned by the Climate and Energy Fund (KLIEN) and conducted by AIT (Austrian Institute of Technology) with support from MUL (Montanuniversität Leoben), evaluates the contributions of NEFI projects in advancing Austria's industrial decarbonisation efforts. The assessment aligns with NEFI's core objectives: (1) reducing industrial carbon emissions, (2) fostering local value creation through Austrian technology, and (3) increasing the resilience of the Austrian industry in energy supply, processes and infrastructure. This study assesses completed or nearly completed NEFI projects, capturing both quantitative and qualitative impacts. A robust and widely applicable methodology was developed to quantify the potential impact of a technological or systemic solution if rolled-out on three dimensions (in agreement with the NEFI goals as well as Austrian and EU targets): Climate impact: Quantified through CO₂ reductions, considering measures such as fuel switching, energy efficiency, carbon capture, and circular conomy. Macroeconomic impact: Captured in GDP contributions (CAPEX, OPEX and export revenues).Resilience: Analysed qualitatively due to varying definitions across projects, with fossil energy reduction as the primary quantitative KPI.