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Projects

Energy security for central Upper Austria

APG is working together with project partners Netz OÖ and Linz Netz on a project called “Energy security for central Upper Austria”. The project is aimed at upgrading the existing power grid to meet the challenges of the future.

In planning

Working to ensure energy security in your region

“Energy security for central Upper Austria” is an APG project designed to guarantee a sustainable supply of electricity for the region and to support energy transition, including the electrification of the economy, industry and society. 

Project ticker

All current information about the project at a glance.

Project ticker

All current information about the project at a glance.

  • Milestone
Milestone 21.03.2023

Hütte Süd

On Tuesday, March 21, 2023, the groundbreaking ceremony took place for the expansion of the Hütte Süd substation of Austrian Power Grid AG (APG), which is also part of the joint project cluster Central Region Upper Austria. As a new 220/110 kV hub, the expanded substation will be a central element for the decarbonization of the industrial and business location Upper Austria and thus facilitate the success of the energy transition in the region and throughout Austria without jeopardizing the security of supply.

The Hütte Süd substation is also an important part of the grid with regard to the joint project "Secure Power Supply Central Upper Austria" of APG, Netz OÖ and Linz Netz, which will make the central region fit for the future, especially with regard to capacity requirements. However, the expansion of the substation is not a legal part of the EIA procedure.

Milestone 10.03.2023
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Permission Granted With Positive EIA Decision by Provincial Authorities

The province of Upper Austria, as the EIA authority conducting the proceedings, confirms the environmental compatibility for the joint project "Secure Power Supply Central Region Upper Austria" of Austrian Power Grid (APG), Netz Oberösterreich GmbH (Netz OÖ) and LINZ NETZ GmbH (LINZ NETZ).

From November 29 to December 2, 2022, the oral hearing by the EIA authority (Upper Austria) took place at the Design Center in Linz. Only three months later (March 9, 2023), the positive EIA decision by the authority is available. This decision is the result of a professional handling of the EIA procedure on the part of the EIA authority. This decision is an important milestone for the realization of one of the most important infrastructure projects in the country. It is an important contribution to a secure power supply, the success of the energy transition and the electrification of businesses, industry and society in the region and all of Austria.

The decision shows that there are no negative effects either with regard to nature conservation or from the point of view of human medicine. The authority therefore concludes that the project "Secure Power Supply Central Upper Austria" is environmentally compatible and permissible in the light of the expert opinions and the results of the EIA procedure that was carried out.

Read more about this in the press release.

Project information

At present, all of central Upper Austria is supplied with electricity via a 110-kV power grid only. The current 110-kV grid is not equipped to meet the challenges of the future or to support the rapid pace of development underway throughout the central region of Upper Austria. This means that the region’s existing power infrastructure will reach the limits of its capacity in just a few years. 

Electricity consumption is set to increase significantly in central Upper Austria in the coming years. The reason is dynamic growth of the Enns-Steyr power region/economic area as well as advancing electrification and the conversion of industrial processes that goes along with this (e.g. voestalpine’s transition to electricity-based steel production). Rising consumer numbers are also a factor. According to a 2019 growth forecast, Upper Austria is projected to see growth of 11.5% to approximately 350,000 inhabitants by 2040 in Linz, Wels and Steyr alone. 

Austrian Power Grid (APG), Netz Oberösterreich GmbH (Netz OÖ) and LINZ NETZ GmbH (LINZ NETZ) are working together to transform the power grid – to make sure you continue to be supplied with electricity whenever you need it. Plans to construct a 220-kV supply ring to replace the existing 110-kV lines are currently underway. 

Frequently asked questions - FAQ

How will the project be executed?

Once completed, the planned 220-kV supply ring will link APG’s substations in Ernsthofen, Pichling, Hütte Süd, Wegscheid and Kronstorf. The system operator’s concept includes the following components:

  • replace existing transmission lines;
  • voltage conversion (from 110 kV to 220 kV) of the line sections already ready for 220 kV;
  • expansion and conversion work at a total of eight substations; and
  • work to dismantle the 110-kV lines no longer needed.

To keep the impact on people and the environment as low as possible, the new transmission lines will be installed along existing line routes of APG, Netz OÖ and LINZ NETZ. 

Will compensation be paid when land is appropriated?

Affording equal treatment to all property owners is of the utmost priority for APG and its project partners, Netz OÖ and Linz Netz.

Our power lines can impact properties in one of three ways:

  • when an electricity pylon is erected on the property;
  • when the property is traversed by overhead transmission lines (whereby only the land within the easement area through which the lines run is impacted); and
  • when forest areas are cleared.

The compensation to be paid for appropriated land (including agricultural land and forested areas) is stipulated in a framework agreement drafted in cooperation with the Upper Austria Chamber of Agriculture.

The framework agreement governs the calculation of the compensation amount stipulated in the private-law easement agreement to be entered into by mutual agreement with all property owners. It also stipulates a number of general conditions relevant to the construction and operation of transmission line systems.

The framework agreement applies equally to all land used for agricultural or forestry purposes, thus ensuring a uniform and equitable approach toward all.

How does the environmental impact assessment process work?
  1. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) comprises Austria’s strictest review and approval process. The EIA process is designed to ensure that the entire project is presented in a transparent and detailed manner and that stakeholders (e.g. property owners, local communities, etc.) and other parties involved in the process are able to inspect and comment on the project documents. 
  2. Prior to submitting the EIA, an environmental impact statement (EIS) is prepared. In addition to a precise description of the project, the EIS comprises 20 expert reports subject to review and is the main component of the subsequent environmental impact assessment process. The EIS is submitted to the EIA authorities responsible for the assessment procedure (the governments of the states of Upper and Lower Austria).
  3. That documentation is taken as the basis for the review and assessment of the project’s potential impact on material assets specific to the region, such as humans and wildlife, soil, water and the landscape. Following comprehensive review by the EIA authorities, an environmental impact assessment report is issued. 
  4. While the review is ongoing, the project documents are made available for inspection by the EIA authorities. The same applies to the subsequently issued EIA report/EIA approval notice. The EIA authorities give advance notice of the hours during which the documents will be available for inspection and the ways to obtain access.
How will this project contribute to the success of the energy transition?

The present network development plan will serve to establish a secure, efficient and high-performance supply of power to support the future development of central Upper Austria. It will improve the integration of renewable energy sources to make clean energy available throughout Austria.
The integration of green electricity is a crucial part of the network development plan, as it will be necessary to electrify industrial processes if the energy transition is to succeed. voestalpine, for instance, will only be able to switch to new, carbon-friendly technologies – i.e. electricity-based steel production – if it has access to a high-performance power grid.

How much is APG investing in energy security?

In 2021, APG invested some 357 million euros in the Austrian electricity infrastructure.

APG plans to invest around 3.5 billion euros by 2030 to support a green electricity future for Austria and to meet the Austrian federal government’s climate and energy targets.

When is the project expected to be completed?

The “Energy security for central Upper Austria” project will be rolled out gradually between 2026 and 2031.


Contact person

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Mario Golger

Project lead

Wagramer Straße 19 (IZD-Tower)
1220 Wien

Phone +43 664 889 45 578 Email mario.golger@apg.at
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Stefan Walehrach

Project communication

Wagramer Straße 19 (IZD-Tower)
1220 Wien

Phone +43 664 883 43 044 Email stefan.walehrach@apg.at
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Projekt Postfach ZROÖ

Wagramer Straße 19 (IZD-Tower)
1220 Wien

Email zentralraum-ooe@apg.at

Project partners

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