APG Nature Conservation Conference 2025: Focus on Climate Change, Nature Conservation and Grid Development

Power lines are important not only for a strong grid infrastructure to ensure the security of supply, for achieving Austria’s climate and energy targets, for integrating renewable energies and electrifying all fields of life, but they also have positive effects on the diversity of species, nature conservation and the protection of fauna and flora. The numerous habitat management measures, for instance, which APG is implementing to compensate for interferences in nature due to the construction of power lines contribute to providing a living environment for endangered species.

Consistent integration of planning, research and dialogue – as of now also on an international level

In close cooperation with numerous experts in the context of our habitat management program, APG has been making sure that the surroundings of our power lines are a livable and popular environment for plants and animals for 30 years. To facilitate this interdisciplinary cooperation and exchange of information between technology and nature, APG has been organizing regular Nature Conservation Conferences since 2016. 

“As a trans-regional transmission system operator, we are responsible for ensuring the secure power supply across Austria. In addition, we are committed to actively supporting the protection of the environment along our lines. With our targeted habitat management measures, we have set an example in supporting biodiversity and protecting the diversity of species of fauna and flora for almost three decades. Expert conferences such as the most recent one are essential as they facilitate a valuable exchange between grid operators, representatives of authorities and NGOs. Only together can we find solutions and facilitate a sustainable energy transition without jeopardizing the security of supply,” says Sven Aberle, who is responsible for habitat management at APG, and he adds: “This year we were able for the first time to enlist renowned international speakers for our panel. This means that the conference is upgraded to another level and an exchange of experiences is possible beyond national borders.” Given the numerous EU regulations regarding environmental protection, the exchange of experiences on an international level is immensely important: How are the regulations implemented in individual countries, and what strategies are best to meet the requirements?

Focus on climate change as a challenge for the environment and power grids

The central topic of the conference was to reconcile the development of the grids with climate change and nature conservation. Against this backdrop, experts and various stakeholders looked at cross-border challenges and possible solutions, and discussed what adaptations are necessary when it comes to grid expansion. Following exciting presentations on biodiversity hotspots and restoration ecology such as revegetation measures in Alpine regions, the focus was on the use of technical monitoring methods for bird protection: radar and camera technologies for recording bird movements were discussed, as well as the effectiveness of specific bird protection measures. The effect of line markings and the latest findings from bird radar studies in Austria were presented directly on the bird radar on the hotel grounds.

On both days, guided excursions took place as part of the symposium, which provided impressive practical insights. A visit to the gravel turf areas in St. Pankraz offered valuable awareness of the importance of small-scale habitats for biodiversity and impressively underlined what is possible through targeted measures, even in the immediate vicinity of technical infrastructure. The participants also explored the Natura 2000 area of the peat bog ‘Wörschacher Moos’ and were shown how maintenance measures help to preserve a valuable habitat for numerous specialized species and ensure its ecological function in the regional ecosystem.

Further information: APG conferences – Austria needs electricity

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 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 approximately 9 billion euros in grid expansion and modernization measures by 2034.