Carinthia power grid area
The planned 380 kV connection between Obersielach (Carinthia) and Lienz (East Tyrol) will close APG's 380 kV grid in the south of Austria. The new connection is essential to ensure a secure supply of electricity in Carinthia and throughout Austria. It plays a central role in the success of the secure energy transition and the decarbonisation of the economy and society.
Carinthia power grid area: Secure power supply in the south and increased integration of renewables
The 380 kV connection is essential to ensure a secure electricity supply in the Carinthia region and throughout Austria and plays a central role in the success of the energy transition. The project is also planned in the current (NEP) of the Ministry of Climate Protection.
The energy industry developments in Austria and Europe, potential for future pumped storage power plants and the massive expansion of renewable energies (including grid control and storage) as well as better support for the 110 kV grid of Kärnten Netz (KNG).
Project ticker
All current information about the project at a glance.
Project ticker
All current information about the project at a glance.
- Milestone
- Update
Carinthia network area: Rough route presented, detailed planning by the end of 2026
The two project partners Austrian Power Grid AG (APG) and Kärnten Netz presented the rough route of the joint project Netzraum Kärnten today. The rough route covers a length of around 190 km - including approx. 173 km of the new 110 kV line - between the Obersielach substation in Carinthia and Lienz in East Tyrol and runs through a total of 36 municipalities. The presentation of the rough route marks the start of a joint process with all municipalities and citizens in the planning area to develop the best possible fine route for Carinthia, East Tyrol and Austria by the end of 2026.
<pJuly 2025: APG and KNG inform the state of Carinthia about the current planning status
The expansion of the electricity grid requires particularly careful planning. The aim of the investigations is to identify a rough route by the fall of 2025 that has the least possible impact on people, the environment and nature. The rough route provides the technical framework for the further planning of the fine route with the pylon locations and ensures that approval is possible in this area. Today, the Carinthian state government and the parties represented in the state parliament as well as the social partners and the Association of Municipalities and Towns were informed about the current planning status.
Since the beginning of the year, the project managers have been regularly informing the state government, municipalities, stakeholders and citizens about the status of the planning. As soon as the rough route is technically available, APG and Kärnten Netz will actively inform the public about the results of the technical planning and the next steps. The increasing demand for energy due to electromobility, digitalization and decarbonization as well as the broad conversion of industry and the economy to renewable energies and climate-friendly processes require an efficient electricity infrastructure. The integration of renewable energies also requires stable and reliable grids. The new line between Lienz in East Tyrol and Obersielach in Carinthia is therefore a once-in-a-century opportunity that will create the necessary grid capacities for a climate-neutral future in Carinthia. To the press release: Grid area Carinthia: APG and KNG inform the state of Carinthia about the status of investigations - Austria needs electricity
Media background discussion: route planning taking into account natural hazards and geology:
Austrian Power Grid (APG) and Kärnten Netz (KNG) hosted a background discussion & excursion in the Griffen area (Völkermarkt district) on September 9, 2025. The topic was "Route determination taking into account natural hazards and geology".
Safe and responsible route determination is a decisive factor in the planning and implementation of infrastructure projects. Geological conditions and natural hazards are key challenges that need to be carefully considered at an early stage. In a joint discussion with experts, APG and KNG gave interested journalists an insight into the planning process and answered questions about natural hazards and geology. This was followed by an excursion to an exemplary route or overhead line in the vicinity. The aim was to view and discuss topics and challenges in practice on site.
How are geology and natural hazards actually incorporated into the planning process?
Geology, hydrogeology and natural hazard analysis are key foundations for responsible, future-proof and approvable route planning. Only through their early and systematic integration can realistic, safe and environmentally friendly pipeline routes be found. APG's aim is to construct an infrastructure that can be operated safely for decades without unnecessarily burdening people, nature and the landscape. By taking geological-hydrogeological conditions and natural hazards into account at an early stage, the security of supply is strengthened, the environment is protected and a sustainable electricity supply is guaranteed for future generations.
May 2025: APG presents journalists' process for route identification
Planning the new 380 kV connection between Lienz in East Tyrol and Obersielach in Carinthia as well as the expansion and reinforcement of the 110 kV grid is a very complex planning process involving 23 very different specialist areas. For this reason, APG and Kärnten Netz-KNG invited several journalists to an excursion on May 13, 2025 to show what environmentally friendly route management can look like and to explain the complex task of route planning. Using the example of the existing 220 kV line in the Gailtal valley, it was possible to show that pylons are now so integrated into nature that they are used as nesting sites and breeding grounds.
For example, terrain, bodies of water, natural hazard areas, protected areas, settlement areas etc. are examined in the course of route identification. The collection and consolidation of a lot of data is necessary in Carinthia, as in some areas there is no data basis on which to build. A rough route must be determined on the basis of the protected goods specified in the EIA Act, in particular the impact on humans, biodiversity and the technical framework conditions (geology, natural hazards and energy industry). The rough route will be available in fall 2025 and it will be determined which of the 58 municipalities will be part of the rest of the project.
April 2025: Investigations are underway in East Tyrol & Carinthia
Since February 2025, our team of experts has been out and about in all 58 municipalities along the possible route corridor in Carinthia and East Tyrol to precisely survey the terrain and carry out the necessary mapping. For example, the terrain, bodies of water, natural hazard areas, protected areas, settlement areas, etc. are examined. The rough route is determined on the basis of the protected assets specified in the EIA Act - in particular the impact on people, biodiversity and the technical framework conditions (geology, natural hazards and energy industry). In autumn 2025, the rough route will be available and it will be determined which of the 58 municipalities will be part of the further project. A rough route has a width of between around 200 and 1,000 meters and provides the specific spatial framework for further planning. This will be selected exclusively on the basis of technical criteria.
The rough route should be available and presented to the public by fall 2025.
APG and Kärnten Netz start grid expansion in Carinthia
The Carinthia grid area is a cooperation project between Austrian Power Grid (APG) and Kärnten Netz (KNG-Kärnten Netz). It involves closing the gap in the 380 kV connection between Lienz in East Tyrol and Obersielach in Carinthia as well as expanding and strengthening the 110 kV grid. The project is a key project for Carinthia and East Tyrol, but also for the whole of Austria, as the existing lines are already heavily utilized and at the limits of their capacity. The project is an opportunity of the century to strengthen Carinthia as an economic and living space in the long term and to ensure a sustainable and secure supply of electricity for future generations. APG is planning a route for an overhead line because overhead lines offer the safest supply technology. Together with Kärnten Netz, a 110 kV line will also run along this new overhead line. This will also strengthen the 110 kV grid. The joint planning and implementation reduces the structural measures and enables two lines to be bundled on one pylon. As a result, APG is implementing the best and most cost-effective option for Carinthia.
The new high-capacity line from Lienz (East Tyrol) to Obersielach (Carinthia) strengthens the business and tourism location and makes electricity sustainably available for Carinthia's economy, industry and society. In addition, renewable energy generated throughout Carinthia and Austria can be increasingly integrated, thereby reducing dependence on electricity imports. The first preliminary investigations (mapping, soil investigations, geology) in the approximately 180 km long planning corridor in Carinthia and East Tyrol will start in February 2025. The investigations will take place in the coming months. The aim is to find an optimal route in the interests of the people of Carinthia. Initial results will be available from fall 2025. As soon as the planned route has been roughly defined, a structured communication process and dialog with the affected citizens and municipalities and the general public will be launched.
After comprehensive planning and information, the submission of the environmental impact statement (EIS) is planned for 2027, followed by the official EIA (environmental impact assessment). Commissioning is currently planned for 2033.
The "Carinthia grid area" project is part of the APG 2023 grid development plan with a total investment volume of EUR 9 billion.
<p180 km
approx. 170 km
approx. 10 km
Safety ring for the energy transition
Increasing electrification
Construction phase
Strong
Project Roadmap
Start preparatory work
Planning & investigation of possible route variants and routes
Presentation of the rough track
Planned public presentation of the rough route in Carinthia and East Tyrol
EIS submission
Planned submission of the environmental impact statement
Planned commissioning
Planned commissioning of secure power supply in Carinthia
Frequently asked questions - FAQ
Austrian Power Grid (APG) is planning to build a new 380 kV line from Lienz in East Tyrol to Obersielach near Völkermarkt in Carinthia in order to close the 380 kV grid in the south of Austria. This line will also carry a 110 kV line from Kärnten Netz. The cooperation project between the two grid operators means that two important electricity grids for Carinthia can be implemented on one route.
The Carinthia grid area will close the Austria-wide 380 kV connection. Closing this gap is an absolute prerequisite for a secure and needs-based electricity supply. The existing grid capacities are no longer sufficient for these future requirements. In order to become independent of fossil fuels and to generate energy and electricity from renewable sources for the population, tourism and the economy, a stable and strong grid is needed in Carinthia, East Tyrol and Austria.
Closing the 380 kV gap in Austria therefore brings the following benefits for Carinthia and East Tyrol:
- A secure power supply can be guaranteed in Carinthia and East Tyrol in the long term.
- The locations of the 380 kV line will be able to withstand future climate-related natural hazards.
- The 380 kV ring within Austria creates a redundant connection, so the most important substations can be supplied from two sides.
- The 380 kV ring creates an efficient connection between the renewable energies in the east of Austria and the storage facilities in the south and west of Austria. (e.g. Malta/Reißeck and Fragant in Carinthia)
- The new construction of the 380 kV line will provide urgently needed relief for the heavily used 220 kV line and will make a significant contribution to the security of the electricity supply in Carinthia.
- The new construction of the 380 kV line will further secure the 110 kV grid of Kärnten Netz.
- The line is planned according to the latest state of the art and also takes into account the changed climatic conditions (wind, heavy rain, etc.)
- It will also provide more security for the distribution grid because it can be better protected.
The project is a project of the century for Carinthia and East Tyrol, but also for the whole of Austria, as the existing 220 kV and 110 kV lines are already heavily utilized and at the limits of their capacity. The new construction and reinforcements will ensure a sustainable and secure power supply for the region for future generations. The project is an opportunity of the century to strengthen Carinthia as an economic and living space in the long term
.The planned route will run from the APG substation Lienz in East Tyrol to the APG substation Obersielach near Völkermarkt in Carinthia; based on the rough route, a total of approx. 192 km of new 380 kV line with approx. 173 km of 110 kV line is assumed, whereby a total of 140 km of old 110 kV lines will be dismantled. In order to connect the lines to the existing or newly constructed substations, approx. 13 km of 110 kV line and 4.6 km of 220 kV line will be newly constructed and approx. 3 km of 110 kV line and 1.5 km of 220 kV line will be relocated.
The final length of the entire fine line will be determined at the end of the upcoming planning process.
It is very important to APG and Kärnten Netz to keep the public regularly informed during the planning process. However, it will only be possible to provide specific information once it is clear where the rough route will run - that will be from October 2025.
A rough route, which has been developed on the basis of this intensive technical route-finding process, will be presented to the province of Carinthia, the municipalities and the population in the fall of 2025. Municipalities and affected landowners will be contacted and informed personally in the course of further detailed planning. There will also be various opportunities for interested members of the public to obtain information about the progress of planning. The following activities will be implemented:
- Digital info portal with regular information on planning progress and the opportunity to contribute local knowledge www.netzraumkaernten.at
- Eight information fairs in the affected regions on the rough route and the fine route
- Infocenter in Klagenfurt from mid-November
- Information material on the project
The rough route is now available, and the planning team is now starting the detailed route planning. The pylon locations will be determined in this phase. You can view the rough route on the information portal: www.netzraumkaernten.at
The rough route with a width of between 200 and 1,000 meters provides the (preliminary) spatial framework for further planning. The team of experts travelled to 58 municipalities to examine the terrain, analyse the nature of the subsoil and carry out the necessary mapping.
23 specialist departments worked in parallel and regularly consulted on the results and dealt with issues such as terrain, bodies of water, natural hazards, protected areas, settlement areas, etc. The rough route was determined on the basis of the protected assets specified in the EIA Act - in particular the impact on humans and biodiversity - as well as in accordance with the technical framework conditions (geology, natural hazards and energy industry).
Netzraum Kärnten provides for the closure of the gap in the Austria-wide 380 kV extra-high-voltage ring by connecting Lienz in East Tyrol and Obersielach near Völkermarkt in Carinthia on the one hand and the expansion and reinforcement of the 110 kV grid on the other. The project is part of the Austrian grid infrastructure plan (ÖNIP 2024) drawn up by the BMK (Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology) and part of APG's grid development plan (NEP 2023), which has been approved by the Austrian regulator.
The expansion of the grid will create the basis for the switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. Grid expansion is therefore crucial for the implementation of the energy transition. The possible decarbonization of the grid expansion contributes to climate protection.
In addition, the locations of the 380 kV line will be able to withstand future climate-related natural hazards and thus the changed climatic conditions (wind, heavy rainfall, etc.). This contributes to the security of supply of the electricity supply.
As a distribution system 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 more than 7,000 transformer stations, 50 substations and around 18,600 km of electricity grid.
Positive effects
- Improving security of supply and grid stability in Carinthia & East Tyrol
- Relief for the already heavily utilised 110 kV distribution grid of Kärnten Netz (KNG)
- 380 kV ring connection in the south and thus improved connection of renewables in eastern Austria to the pumped storage power plants in southern and western Austria
- Creation of the prerequisites for the grid connection of high-performance pumped storage power plants in the Malta and Fragant area (Carinthia)
- Stronger connection of the lines to Italy and Slovenia to the APG grid and thus better supra-regional energy integration
Contact person
Wolfgang Hafner
Project lead

Wolfgang Gröger