As part of the 2025 CEF Energy call, the European Commission grants approximately € 650 million to 14 cross-border energy infrastructure projects. Among the selected projects is APG’s West Tyrol – Zell/Ziller project, with funding dedicated to planning, testing and engineering activities.
EU recognizes innovation in the West Tyrol – Zell/Ziller project
The energy sector is undergoing a profound transformation and faces increasing complexity. In an environment shaped by the need to balance affordability, sustainability, and security of supply, continuous development and innovation are essential to achieving a secure, efficient, and cost-effective energy transition. These efforts also form the foundation for a strong economy and a high quality of life.
The West Tyrol – Zell/Ziller project consists of the upgrade of the existing 220 kV transmission line using innovative carbon-core conductors, as well as the installation of an additional 220/380 kV transformer. In particular the deployment of carbon-core conductor technology will make a significant contribution to increasing transmission capacity and strengthening the resilience of the electricity grid.
“The CEF funding awarded to this project reflects the European Union’s strong recognition of APG’s forward-looking infrastructure initiatives,” says Gerhard Christiner, CEO and Spokesperson of the Executive Board of Austrian Power Grid (APG).
The West Tyrol – Zell/Ziller project forms part of APG’s Network Development Plan, which sets out the roadmap for expanding Austria’s electricity infrastructure. The plan foresees investments of approximately € 9 billion in the expansion and modernization of the transmission grid over the next ten years. The current preliminary project phase is scheduled for completion in May 2029.
Grid expansion as a key factor for the energy transition
At a time when demands on the electricity system are increasing rapidly, European funding instruments and EU co-financing play a vital role in accelerating grid expansion and facilitating a secure, affordable, and sustainable energy transition.
“The rapid expansion of grid infrastructure is essential to ensuring sustainably affordable electricity for Austria’s economy and industry, maintaining a high level of security of supply, and efficiently integrating renewable energy sources into the system. It is a fundamental prerequisite for a strong economic and industrial location,” emphasizes Gerhard Christiner.
Supporting an integrated European Electricity Market
Due to Austria’s central location in Europe, electricity flows from across the continent are transported via the country’s high-voltage transmission network. As a result, all APG infrastructure projects have a strong European dimension, and APG’s grid expansion initiatives play an important role in strengthening interconnections with neighboring countries.
The project “Internal Line between West Tyrol – Zell/Ziller (AT)” is designated as a Project of Common Interest (PCI 2.1.3) under the European TEN-E Regulation and forms part of the corridor “North–South Electricity Interconnections in Central Eastern and South-Eastern Europe”, Cluster “Austria – Germany.” As an internal Austrian transmission project, it also makes a significant contribution to further integrating the European electricity market.
The awarded CEF funding is provided as a grant for studies, covering planning, testing and engineering activities for further development and implementation of the project.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
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. 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 Mio., 2024: 440 million euros, 2023: 490 million euros) are a motor for the Austrian economy and a crucial factor in reaching Austria’s climate and energy targets. Until 2035 APG will invest a total of approximately 9 billion euros in grid expansion and renovation projects.
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