Network Area Carinthia is one of the most important energy infrastructure projects of the coming decades - an opportunity of the century for Carinthia and East Tyrol. It strengthens the economic and living environment, secures the power supply and enables a reliable energy transition. Following the presentation of the rough route at the end of September, Austrian Power Grid (APG) and Kärnten Netz GmbH (KNG) are intensifying the exchange with municipalities, landowners and citizens at eight information fairs along the planned rough route of the line.
After four of a total of eight planned information fairs, the project managers have drawn an extremely positive interim balance: the interest of the population is very high, the dialog intensive and the exchange of information constructive. Around 1,200 visitors took the opportunity last week to find out more about the project at first hand. "Transparency and dialog are our top priorities. We want to provide information and explain where the rough track will run and discuss and listen to the public. The further planning steps will also be presented in detail. The great interest in the information fairs confirms that this approach is exactly right. A project of this magnitude can only succeed in the long term if information is provided at an early stage and there is an open exchange with the population," emphasize APG project manager Wolfgang Hafner and KNG project manager Gernot Kowatsch.
Great interest and valuable exchange on site
Numerous residents of the municipalities in the project area came to the information fairs to obtain information directly on site. The focus was on the planned route, technical details, why a cable is not possible, how health issues are being taken into account in the planning, as well as issues relating to nature conservation and the energy policy framework. It was also about talking to experts from APG and KNG and putting forward their own concerns. The exchange with landowners along the planned pipeline was particularly intensive. Many of them used the event to obtain personal advice for the first time and to leave their contact details. Information regarding the sources and access routes in the respective regions could be entered directly into the respective maps on this occasion. This information, which is valuable for everyone, forms the basis for the next steps and facilitates direct communication for the planning of mast locations and access routes. The direct exchange proved to be extremely constructive and valuable, emphasized the project managers. It is the starting point for further intensive discussions, many of which have already been arranged for the coming weeks.
The information series will continue over the next few days: After Lienz, Berg, Spittal and Paternion, further information fairs will take place in the second week at the Congress Center Villach, the Stadtsaal Feldkirchen, the Fuchspalast in St. Veit and the Neue Burg in Völkermarkt.
The new info portal: digitally informed and actively involved
In addition to personal discussions on site, the project also offers a comprehensive range of information and services. The information portal www.netzraumkaernten.at provides access to the current planning status and an interactive map at any time. For a week now, visitors have been able to digitally contribute local information on access routes, groundwater sources, etc. The feedback so far shows that the population is looking for dialog and appreciates the opportunity to get involved. The information gained is valuable for further planning. From the perspective of the project management, the Carinthia grid area project is already an example of how the energy transition and public participation can go hand in hand.
About the Carinthia grid area project
Carinthia grid area is a cooperation project between Austrian Power Grid (APG) and Kärnten Netz (KNG-Kärnten Netz). It provides for the 380 kV connection between Lienz in East Tyrol and Obersielach near Völkermarkt in Carinthia as well as the expansion and reinforcement of the Carinthian 110 kV grid. The project is a key project for Carinthia, East Tyrol and the whole of Austria, as the existing lines are heavily utilized and are reaching their capacity limits. This project opens up an opportunity of the century: it strengthens Carinthia and East Tyrol as an economic and living space, secures the electricity supply for future generations, enables the additional feed-in of electricity from renewable energy and supports the gradual phase-out of fossil fuels.
About Austrian Power Grid (APG)
As an independent transmission system operator, Austrian Power Grid (APG) is responsible for ensuring a secure 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 thus reduce dependence on imports, act as a platform for the electricity market, create access to affordable electricity and thus form the basis for a secure supply and sustainable business and living location. The APG grid extends over a route length of around 3,500 km, which the company operates and maintains with a team of around 1,000 specialists and continuously adapts to the increasing demands of the electrification of society, business and industry. The majority of the 67 substations distributed throughout Austria are operated remotely from the control center in Vienna. Thanks to our dedicated employees, security of supply remained at 99.99% in 2024, putting us among the world leaders. Our investments of EUR 630 million in 2025 (2024: EUR 440 million, 2023: EUR 490 million) are an economic driver and a key component in achieving Austria's energy targets. APG will invest a total of around 9 billion euros in grid expansion and conversion by 2034.
About Kärnten Netz
As a distribution grid operator, KNG-Kärnten Netz GmbH ensures a secure and reliable energy supply for its customers. Its main tasks include the planning, demand-oriented expansion, operation and maintenance of the electricity and gas grid as well as efficient fault management. With around 720 employees, Kärnten Netz manages transformer stations, 50 substations and an electricity grid that is around 18,600 km long.
Press contact
Wolfgang Gröger