APG Enns Valley Line Upgrade: Preparatory Phase Underway - Construction Work to Begin Summer 2026

Commissioned in 1949, the existing line has been in operation for more than 70 years and can no longer meet future energy demands such as rising electricity consumption and the expansion of renewable generation. The modernization will secure a reliable and sustainable power supply for generations to come.

Identical routing

As part of the general renewal, all outdated components of the 73.2-kilometer line, i.e. pylons, foundations, cables, earthing, and fittings, will be replaced with modern technology. The existing single conductor will be upgraded to a double-bundle system, increasing transmission capacity while significantly reducing corona noise (the familiar crackling of power lines).

The route itself and the 220-kilovolt voltage level will remain unchanged. New pylons will be installed in the same locations and with the same footprint as the existing structures, though in some places they may be raised by up to 10 meters. This ensures no increase in electric or magnetic field exposure for nearby residential properties, while also improving clearance heights for agricultural vehicles.

Division into five construction lots & preparatory measures

Preparatory measures have been underway since early 2025, including surveys of existing installations and detailed planning of access routes. In coordination with landowners, construction and repair of these access routes will begin in October 2025.

The main renewal works are scheduled from summer 2026 to spring/summer 2028. For efficiency, the approximately 73-kilometer Enns Valley Line will be divided into five construction lots, which will be tackled simultaneously once work begins.

Enns Valley Line: essential for a secure and affordable energy transition 

As a key east-west link in APG’s central grid, the Enns Valley Line is vital not only for regional electricity security but also for Austria’s energy transition. By enabling renewable electricity to be transported across the country and delivered where it is needed, the line strengthens the region as business location and provides the foundation for sustainable growth. Its modernization supports the electrification of tourism, business, industry, and society in the region—ensuring both a secure power supply and an affordable, climate-friendly future.

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 a 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 headquarters in Vienna. Thanks to our committed employees, Austria had a security of supply of 99.99 percent also in 2024 and thus ranks among the top countries worldwide. Our investments of 630 million euros in 2025 (2024: 440 million euros, 2023: 490 million euros) are a motor for the Austrian economy and a crucial factor for achieving Austria's energy targets. APG will invest a total of around 9 billion euros in grid expansion and modernization measures by 2034.