Spannberg is set to become a central hub in Lower Austria’s energy landscape. Austrian Power Grid (APG) and Netz Niederösterreich GmbH (Netz NÖ) are constructing a new grid node south of the Sulzbach stream, directly on the municipal border with Velm-Götzendorf. The aim is to safely integrate renewable electricity from wind and solar power into the regional supply network. The first power is expected to flow through the new facilities in mid-2028, with full completion scheduled for mid-2029.
The new Spannberg substation will channel renewable electricity generated in the region between Mistelbach and Dürnkrut into the extra-high-voltage grid. By linking Netz NÖ’s existing substation with APG’s nationwide transmission network, it will help maintain the high security and quality of supply for generations to come.
“The use of renewable energy sources in our own country is another important step toward reducing import dependency, strengthening regional value creation, and supporting Lower Austria as an economic location,” emphasizes René Lobner, Member of the Lower Austrian Parliament, speaking on behalf of Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner.
Transforming the Energy System
Austria’s transition to a renewable energy future is well underway. Ambitious national climate and energy targets are setting the pace, and recent turbulence in energy markets has underscored the importance of this path: expanding wind and photovoltaic power, adopting e-mobility, and increasing the use of heat pumps—all essential measures for a regional, stable-priced, and secure energy supply.
“For us as grid operators—APG for the trans-regional, nationwide extra-high-voltage grid, and Netz NÖ for Lower Austria’s local distribution grid—this means building the infrastructure that will make this renewable future possible. We must ensure that electricity is transported reliably to where it is needed: to neighboring towns, other provinces, or storage power plants in the Alps,” explain APG CTO Gerhard Christiner and EVN CEO Stefan Szyszkowitz.
Electricity from the Eastern Weinviertel for All of Austria
Based on current projections, up to 2,700 megawatts (MW) of wind and photovoltaic capacity will be installed in the eastern Weinviertel by 2030—equivalent to the output of ten Danube power plants. This far exceeds local demand. To manage and transport this valuable electricity, APG and Netz NÖ have developed a joint grid concept that includes:
- the completed APG 380-kV Weinviertel line,
- two new 110-kV overhead lines from Netz NÖ,
- three modernized or newly built Netz NÖ substations, and
- three modernized or newly built joint substations operated by APG and Netz NÖ.
Energy Hubs in the Weinviertel
The joint grid concept foresees two new lines—Kettlasbrunn to Spannberg and Gaweinstal to Prottes—enabling Netz NÖ to collect and feed growing volumes of renewable electricity into APG’s extra-high-voltage grid at designated transfer points. Following Neusiedl/Zaya, Spannberg will become the second major transfer location in the region, with Prottes set to become the third.
These sites are ideally situated as key interfaces between the Netz NÖ distribution network and APG’s Weinviertel line, which has been in operation since 2022. Together, they form essential energy hubs on the path toward a secure and renewable energy future.
About Austrian Power Grid (APG)
As an 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, thus reducing Austria’s dependence on electricity imports, we are the platform for the electricity market, and we provide access to reasonably priced electricity for Austria’s consumers, thus creating 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 are operated remotely from APG’s control center 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 in reaching Austria’s climate and energy targets. Until 2034, APG will invest a total of approximately 9 billion euros in grid expansion and modernization projects.
About Netz NÖ
Austria’s climate and energy strategy sets ambitious targets: a tenfold increase in photovoltaic generation and a doubling of wind power production by 2030. For Netz NÖ, this means a fundamental structural transformation of the electricity grid at all levels to make this major shift possible.
Modernization Program Through 2034
Our long-term grid modernization plan includes:
- Construction or replacement of around 55 substations, including the associated connection lines (92 substations are currently in operation)
- The annual addition of approximately 700 transformer stations (compared to a long-term average of around 250)
- Reinforcement or renewal of roughly 1,000 km of medium- and low-voltage cables each year
This extensive expansion is essential, as the transformation of the energy system is advancing rapidly. To illustrate: as of 3 November 2025, more than 130,620 photovoltaic systems with a combined capacity of 1,978 MW are connected to our grid. Over 25,000 of these PV systems were commissioned in 2024 alone. While this growth is a positive sign for the renewable energy future, it also presents major challenges for grid operators.
In the current financial year, we are investing more than €520 million in expanding and strengthening our infrastructure—actively laying the foundations for the energy system of tomorrow.
Photo credit: © Netz NÖ/ Claudia Müllner
Picture description "001": from left to right:
Spannberg Mayor Sandro Kaufmann, APG Project Manager Christoph Guldner, Netz NÖ Managing Director Harald Dammerer, APG CEO Gerhard Christiner, Member of the Lower Austrian Parliament René Lobner representing Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner, EVN CEO Stefan Szyszkowitz, Velm-Götzendorf Mayor Gerald Haasmüller, Netz NÖ Netzregionsleiter Weinviertel Ost Ronald Brechelmacher, Netz NÖ Project Manager Besim Demiri
Picture description "010": from left to right:
Netz NÖ Managing Director Harald Dammerer, APG Board Spokesman Gerhard Christiner, Member of the Lower Austrian Parliament René Lobner representing Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner, EVN Board Spokesman Stefan Szyszkowitz
Picture description "012": From left to right:
Spannberg Mayor Sandro Kaufmann, APG Project Manager Christoph Guldner, Netz NÖ Managing Director Harald Dammerer, APG CEO Gerhard Christiner, Member of the Lower Austrian Parliament René Lobner representing Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner, EVN CEO Stefan Szyszkowitz, Velm-Götzendorf Mayor Gerald Haasmüller, Netz NÖ Netzregionsleiter Weinviertel Ost Ronald Brechelmacher, Netz NÖ Project Manager Besim Demiri
Photo credit: © Netz NÖ / Roland Michalitsch
Picture description "DJI_0251": In the foreground: area of the new substation. In the background: the existing Netz NÖ substation and the construction site of the access bridge over the Sulzbach.
Graphic "Renewable Grid Weinviertel": Joint grid concept of APG and Netz NÖ to enable the expansion of wind and photovoltaics in the Weinviertel region.
The photos can be published free of charge as part of editorial reporting if the copyright is mentioned.
Press contact
Mara Schwarz-Mitrovic
