Carinthia power grid area

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.

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.  

July 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

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.