The Role of Austria in the Exchange of Electric Energy Between East and West

Cooperation in the field of energy exchange with neighbouring countries, which has a long tradition for Austria, was reestablished soon after the Second World War. This co­operation is based on the very favourable geographical position of Austria between East and West, and especially, as regards electric energy, on the rich and abundant water power potential of her rivers and alpine regions. It is the main aim of this paper to illu­minate the possible future development of cooperation with the CMEA countries against the background of the structure of electricity production and demand, the past ex­perience of power exchanges, and their future development in Austria, as well as against the role of Austria as a member of the Central European interconnected grid.