272-Ton Powerhouse for Central Upper Austria

Precision from start to finish

The impressive transformer measures approximately 11 meters in length, 3.5 meters in width, and 4.6 meters in height. After being transported by rail from the Siemens Energy plant in Weiz to Asten/St. Florian station, the unit — with a weight of 272 tons — was transferred from a 32-axle flatbed railcar to a 20-axle special heavy-duty transport vehicle. This complex operation required millimeter-level precision before setting off on its 3.7km journey on the road.

“Transporting a transformer is always precision work. From planning and permitting through to execution, it demands the highest level of concentration and extensive experience from everyone involved,” explains Jürgen Pilgerstorfer, APG Project Manager for Substations.

Challenging route

The route to the Pichling substation presented the transport team with several technical challenges. To cross the Tagerbach bridge, a temporary flyover structure had to be installed to distribute the load and enable the 272-ton colossus to pass safely. Traffic signs and streetlights were also temporarily removed along the route.

The railway underpass in Südpark proved particularly demanding, with just five centimeters of clearance. The narrow section was negotiated at walking pace under the constant supervision of experienced guides.

The subsequent roundabout required equally careful maneuvering. The approximately 76-metre-long transport convoy advanced meter by meter through the tight curve before continuing into the industrial zone. After roughly three hours on the road, the transformer finally reached the Pichling substation.

Transformers as the heart of every substation

“Transformers are the heart of every substation. In the case of Pichling, the new unit links APG’s nationwide extra-high-voltage grid with the Linz Netz distribution grid, which supplies electricity directly to households and businesses,” Pilgerstorfer emphasises.

This connection is essential for ensuring that electricity from the trans-regional APG grid can be delivered to the region when needed. At the same time, locally generated renewable energy can be fed into the national grid via the Pichling substation and distributed throughout Austria. Conversely, sustainable electricity produced in other regions can be routed into Upper Austria, supporting the needs of industry, businesses, and society.

Once fully assembled, the transformer will weigh around 445 tons. By the end of April, two more transformers of the same design will be transported to Pichling via the same route.

15 transformers for a secure power supply in central Upper Austria

The three transformers destined for Pichling form part of the Secure Power Supply for Central Upper Austria partner project, jointly implemented by APG, Netz OÖ, and Linz Netz. Together, the partners are investing around €800 million in the construction of a 220 kV supply ring designed to future-proof the existing 110 kV electricity supply in the central region of Upper Austria.

Within this framework, APG will install ten new transformers across its substations in Pichling, Wegscheid, and Kronstorf.

Including the Ernsthofen and Hütte Süd substations—both located on the 220 kV supply ring but not part of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) project—the total number of APG transformers rises to 15. These installations will make a decisive contribution to grid stability and security of supply while strengthening Upper Austria as a key industrial and economic hub.

About Austrian Power Grid (APG)

As independent transmission system operator Austrian Power Grid (APG) is in charge of ensuring the security of the electricity supply in Austria. With our high-performance and digital electricity infrastructure and the use of state-of-the-art technologies we integrate renewable energies and reduce the dependency on electricity imports, we are the platform for the electricity market, and we provide access to reasonably priced electricity and thus create the basis for Austria as supply-secure and future-oriented industrial and business location and place to live. The APG grid totals a length of about 3,500 km and is operated, maintained, and continuously adapted to the increasing challenges of the electrification of businesses, industry, and society by a team of approximately 1,000 specialists. 67 substations are distributed all over Austria and the majority is operated remotely from the control center in Vienna. Thanks to our committed employees Austria had a security of supply of 99.99 percent also in 2025 and thus ranks among the top countries worldwide. Our investments of 680 million euros in 2026 (2025: 595 million euros, 2024: 440 million euros, 2023: 490 million euros) are a motor for the Austrian economy and a crucial factor for achieving Austria’s energy goals. Overall APG will invest around 9 billion euros in grid expansion and modernization measures until 2034.