10,200 square meters of solar power for VIECON Center

Photovoltaic Power for the Event Venue

Covering a roof area of 10,200 m², 5,100 solar modules will generate approximately 2,347 MWh of renewable electricity per year.[1] This makes the installation one of the largest urban rooftop photovoltaic systems in Austria's event industry and underscores the commitment to consistently combining economic performance with the expansion of renewable power generation at the site.

The new installation, equivalent in size to 15 international tennis courts, has a capacity of 2.32 MWp[2] and will generate more than one quarter of the venue's annual electricity consumption from renewable sources.[3] Approximately 80 percent[4] of the electricity produced is planned to be used directly in the ongoing operations of the VIECON Center, while surplus energy will be fed into the public power grid. This measure will save around 1,092 tonnes of CO₂ annually,[5] equivalent to the average annual electricity consumption of approximately 670 Austrian three-person households.[6]

Important Contribution to Vienna's Climate Goals[7]

"Large rooftop areas within the city offer enormous potential for renewable energy generation. The new installation on the roof of the VIECON Center makes full use of this potential. Its annual electricity production demonstrates the significant contribution that urban infrastructure can make to the energy transition," emphasized Deputy Mayor Barbara Novak, who attended the commissioning ceremony on site.

Wien Holding also views the project as an important component of its sustainability strategy.[8] Oliver Stribl, Managing Director of Wien Holding, explains:

"Reducing CO₂ emissions and supporting Vienna's climate goals are top priorities for Wien Holding. With the commissioning of this rooftop photovoltaic system, we are launching a project whose size and impact extend far beyond this location and contribute to the expansion of renewable electricity generation in Vienna."

Investing in High-Performance Infrastructure

The new installation is part of a comprehensive strategy for the continuous development of the technical infrastructure at VIECON Center. The objective is to consistently combine security of supply with energy-efficient operations.

"The continued development of energy-efficient infrastructure requires the intelligent interaction of a wide range of systems. With this new rooftop photovoltaic installation, we are responsibly advancing our infrastructure while creating additional resilience for one of the country's most important event venues," says VIECON Managing Director Katharina Weishaupt.

A Decisive Competitive Advantage in the International Congress Market

Increasing sustainability requirements from international event organizers are making energy-efficient and resource-saving infrastructure measures a crucial success factor in the competition for congresses and events.

"If we want to attract international congresses and business events to Vienna, sustainable solutions must be implemented and demonstrated in practice. Organizers expect concrete measures and measurable results. With this rooftop PV installation, we are investing in reducing CO₂ emissions as well as in the long-term competitiveness of the VIECON Center and Vienna as a congress destination," explains VIECON Managing Director Martina Candillo.

First Green Meeting from Day One of Operations

With the start of operations, the new installation was used for the first time during a major international event. At the beginning of October, EURETINA 2026, a congress on retinal research with around 9,000 participants, became the first Austrian Ecolabel-certified "Green Meeting" powered by the newly generated solar electricity.

The PV project marks another step towards increasing the share of renewable electricity generation at the VIECON Center and actively advancing the transformation towards more energy-efficient event infrastructure.

Construction work was carried out between March and September 2026. Both planning and public construction supervision were undertaken by KWI Engineers GmbH. Project management was handled by Wiener Infrastruktur Projekt GmbH, a sister company of VIECON. The total investment amounts to approximately EUR 1.9 million and was financed by Messe Besitz GmbH, which is also part of Wien Holding.

Fact Box: VIECON Rooftop Photovoltaic System Hall A

• Commissioning: 1 October 2026
• Solar modules: 5,100
• Roof area covered: 10,200 m²
• Installed capacity: 2.32 MWp[9]
• Electricity generation: approx. 2,347 MWh per year[10]
• CO₂ savings: approx. 1,092 tonnes per year[11]
• Equivalent households supplied: approx. 670 three-person households[12]
• Self-consumption rate: target of 80%[13]
• Total investment: approx. EUR 1.9 million

About VIECON

VIECON Messe Wien – Vienna Congress & Convention Center is Austria's largest event venue and part of Wien Holding. With a total of 73,000 m², VIECON offers flexible event spaces and state-of-the-art technical infrastructure in the heart of Vienna. Whether trade fairs, congresses, or brand experiences, hospitality is at the center of everything VIECON does, making it the ideal venue for national and international organizers alike.

VIECON creates experiences that last, true to the company's motto: "create unique memories."

For more information, visit vieconcenter.at.

Media Contact

Kathrin Kremser
Head of Communications & Marketing, VIECON
Phone: +43 1 72720 3114
Mobile: +43 676 82 32 3114
Email: kathrin.kremser@vieconcenter.at 
Website: www.vieconcenter.at

Sources

[1] Results are based on a mathematical model calculation by Valentin Software GmbH (PV*SOL algorithms). Actual solar power yields may differ due to weather conditions, module and inverter efficiencies, and other influencing factors. 
[2] See footnote 1.
[3] Reference year: 2025.
[4] See footnote 1.
[5] Calculation methodology: Expected power generation × fossil displacement factor: 2,347,000 kWh × 0.4653 kg CO₂/kWh = 1,092,059 kg CO₂, or 1,092 tonnes of CO₂ per year. Source: KWI Engineers GmbH.
[6] Source: Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKO). Average annual consumption: 3,500 kWh. Calculation: 2,347,000 kWh ÷ 3,500 kWh/year = 670.57 households.
[7] Source: Vienna Solar Power Initiative (Wiener Sonnenstrom-Offensive).
[8] Source: Wien Holding Sustainability Strategy.
[9] See footnote 2.
[10] See footnote 1.
[11] See footnote 5.
[12] See footnote 6.
[13] See footnote 4.