From September 14 to October 1, 2026, Austrian Power Grid (APG), in collaboration with its project partner Netz Burgenland GmbH, held twelve local public information fairs in communities in eastern Lower Austria and northern Burgenland to inform residents, residents, and interested parties about the “Netzverstärkung Ost” grid reinforcement project. Through the “Netzverstärkung Ost” project, APG and Netz Burgenland are expanding the 380-kV and 110-kV grid infrastructure to ensure a high-performance and reliable electricity supply in Lower Austria and Burgenland. This will lay the foundation for meeting the growing electricity needs of society, the economy, and industry, and for securing the region’s long-term status as a strong place to live and do business.
Project managers and numerous experts were available to landowners, residents, and all interested parties to provide information, engage in dialogue, and answer questions at twelve regional information fairs. The team spent about three weeks traveling through Lower Austria (the districts of Baden, Mödling, and Bruck/Leitha) and Burgenland (the district of Neusiedl), presenting the current status of planning. Nearly 1,000 visitors were able to learn about the planned project on site, and numerous landowners and tenants also took advantage of this opportunity. The information fairs marked an important project milestone and ensured that the general public was informed about the project at an early stage. The overall sentiment in the communities, the region, and among residents was consistently positive, and there was a high level of acceptance regarding the need for grid expansion in the eastern region and grid reinforcement. Approximately 38,000 households received a direct invitation to the information fairs. Stefan Pölzlbauer, APG’s program manager for the Eastern Grid Reinforcement project, commented: “We presented the current status of planning as well as the planned tower locations for the largest and most important electricity infrastructure project in Lower Austria and Burgenland. Our experts from a wide range of fields—including the environment, law, and engineering—were on site for a total of twelve days during the information fairs to engage in personal discussions. Our detailed 3D route visualization, which provides all interested parties with a clear overview of the planned project, was particularly well received.”
You can find the 3D visualization of the “Netzverstärkung Ost” project here: Netzverstärkung Ost: 3D Visualization of the Project, as of September 2026
In addition to the information fairs, a structured information process is underway with municipalities, landowners, and other stakeholders, who receive regular updates on the project.
Grid Reinforcement East: Secure Power Supply for Lower Austria and Burgenland
The East Grid Reinforcement project is the largest and most important electricity infrastructure project in Lower Austria and Burgenland. It is not a traditional overhead line connecting two substations (UW), but rather encompasses both the dismantling and construction of new overhead lines as well as the construction and expansion of substations. In total, the construction of approximately 75 km of new lines is offset by the dismantling of approximately 70 km. In addition, a higher-capacity carbon fiber cable will be installed on 16 km of the existing line. The central focus of the project is to use the existing right-of-way primarily for the construction of new 380-kV lines. To this end, the existing 220-kV line operated by APG will be completely dismantled from the Vienna Southeast substation to the state border. The focus is therefore on continuing to use existing routes with more powerful, new technologies. The application for an environmental impact assessment is scheduled for late 2027, and construction is planned to begin in 2030.
Benefits and positive effects at a glance:
- Improved integration of renewable energy sources in eastern Austria (solar PV systems and wind power)
- A secure energy transition thanks to a high-performance transmission grid
- General increase in grid and system security in eastern Austria
- Relief for the existing power grid in Lower Austria and Burgenland
- 380-kV grid reinforcement through the expansion and construction of the extra-high-voltage level in the APG transmission grid
- Expansion and reinforcement of the 110-kV grid operated by Netz Burgenland
For more details on the project, visit: www.netzverstaerkung-ost.at
About Austrian Power Grid (APG)
As an independent transmission system operator, Austrian Power Grid (APG) is responsible for ensuring a reliable electricity supply in Austria. With our high-performance, digital electricity infrastructure and the use oftechnologies, we integrate renewable energy sources and thereby reduce dependence on imports; we serve as a platform for the electricity market; we provide access to affordable electricity; and we thus lay the foundation for a location that is both economically viable and sustainable, with a secure energy supply. The APG grid spans a route length of approximately 3,500 km, which the company operates and maintains with a team of about 1,000 specialists, continuously adapting it to the growing demands of the electrification of society, the economy, and industry. The control center in Vienna remotely operates the majority of the 67 substations distributed throughout Austria. In 2025, thanks to our dedicated employees, the supply reliability remained at 99.99 percent, placing us among the world’s best. Our investments totaling 680 million euros in 2026 (2025: 595 million, 2024: 440 million, 2023: 490 million euros) serve as an economic driver and a key building block for achieving Austria’s energy goals. In total, APG will invest approximately 9 billion euros in grid expansion and modernization by 2035.
About Netz Burgenland
Netz Burgenland (NEB) owns and operates the 110/20-kV distribution grid in Burgenland. It is responsible for operations, maintenance, and grid expansion. Approximately 400 specialists operate and maintain a grid with a route length of about 10,000 km and 22 substations. In this way, it ensures a reliable electricity supply in the region. At the same time, NEB supports Burgenland’s energy and climate goals.
Press contact
Wolfgang Gröger