How can we electrify industrial operations at speed and scale? Our experience shows what it looks like when ambition meets practical reality.
For decades, access to energy has powered industrial progress. Today, electrification is increasingly shaping the next phase of development.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the electrification of transport, buildings and industry is one of the defining trends of the energy transition – critical to meeting net-zero goals. As electricity becomes an increasingly important energy carrier in these sectors, companies are finding new ways to reduce emissions, but while also improving efficiency and strengthen resilience.
At OMV, this shift is already taking shape. From electrified compressor systems and electric drilling technologies to renewable power integration, electrification helps translate long-term ambitions into tangible action.
How electrification makes the transition operational
At OMV, we have set a target to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions – which cover our own operations – by 30% by 2030 against a 2019 baseline. Electrification is expected to play a central role alongside energy efficiency and renewable power in achieving this.
Electrifying industrial operations requires modernizing infrastructure, integrating new power sources and adapting established processes to new technologies.
One of the most significant projects currently underway is the modernization of a gas compressor station in Auersthal, Lower Austria. In July 2026, an investment of EUR 40 million was approved to replace gas-turbine-driven compressors—some more than 40 years old—with two electrically driven units. Scheduled to start operating in the second half of 2028, the project is expected to reduce Scope 1 emissions by approximately 70,000 tonnes of CO₂e annually, equivalent to around 30% of OMV Austria's current operational emissions.
A similar project is underway at one of OMV Austria's gas storage facilities, where a central compressor is being electrified. The project is expected to reduce emissions by approximately 28,000 tonnes of CO₂e per year while improving operational efficiency and reliability.
Together, these projects show how electrification can modernize even mature industrial assets. Electric compressors can adjust power use to match operational needs, helping reduce energy consumption and emissions while improving efficiency. They can also make operations more reliable, reduce noise and help ensure critical energy infrastructure continues to run smoothly.
The same ambition is now reshaping how we drill. At our "deeep" geothermal project in Seestadt Vienna, drilling operations were carried out entirely electrically for the first time in our history, using a dedicated grid connection and an electric drilling rig.
By eliminating the need for fuel transport, the project reduces logistical complexity and can help lower both energy and operating costs while supporting reliable power supply for demanding operations.
Why electrification creates value
The benefits of electrification extend beyond emissions reductions. Improved energy efficiency, lower maintenance requirements and greater reliability can strengthen competitiveness over the lifetime of an asset.
As OMV Executive Vice President Energy, Berislav Gašo explains: “Industrial machinery can consume electricity more efficiently than other types of energy like liquid fuel, leading to savings in lifetime running costs that are worth much more than the upfront investment. Electric machinery also tends to be more reliable, requiring less maintenance than traditional systems… this is something we have witnessed first-hand with our electrification projects”
The benefits also extend beyond individual assets. According to a 2026 Eurelectric report, shifting industrial demand from imported fossil fuels to domestically produced electricity can improve cost stability at the grid level, strengthen resilience and support long-term industrial competitiveness. As electrification expands, it contributes to a more resilient energy system for both businesses and society.
Powering Electrification
The impact of electrification is greatest when it is powered by lower-carbon sources. Investments in power generation therefore play an important role in maximizing emissions reductions and supporting long-term electrification.
In Austria, OMV's photovoltaic plant in Schönkirchen supports operations with renewable electricity, helping reduce the carbon intensity of production.
OMV is also increasing self-generated electricity through gas-to-power (G2P) and combined heat and power (CHP) installations. By utilizing gas that would otherwise be flared, these projects help reduce emissions, strengthen electricity supply and support ongoing electrification efforts. Within OMV Petrom, more than 55 G2P and CHP installations provide approximately 110 MW of installed capacity, contributing to both operational resilience and more efficient energy use.
Together, these investments highlight the importance of connecting electrification, power generation and operational efficiency to curb emissions while maintaining a strong business case.
Electrification in Action
Across OMV's operations, electrification is helping turn energy transition ambitions into practical action. From compressor stations and geothermal drilling projects to renewable power generation and self-generated electricity, these initiatives illustrate how electrification can ensure that industry reduces emissions while unlocking operational benefits.
As the global electrification trend accelerates, integrated energy systems will play an increasingly important role in supporting a more competitive, secure and lower-carbon energy future.