Electricity is flowing: Austria's transmission system operator Austrian Power Grid (APG) and its Italian counterpart TERNA have put the new 220-kilovolt line between the new APG substation in Nauders and the Glorenza substation (Alto Adige) into operation. Over a distance of around 27 kilometers, a capacity of up to 300 megawatts is now available for the international exchange of mainly green electricity from renewable energy sources. The multi-million euro investment will also improve the electricity supply in the Austrian-Italian border region.
The new 220 kV line is connected to the Nauders substation (which is also new) via a 380 kV switchgear, a 380/220 kV power transformer, two 220/220 kV phase-shifting transformers and a 220 kV switchgear. The Nauders substation is in turn connected to the Austrian electricity grid via a 380 kV line that leads to the APG substation Westtirol. Over the past three and a half years APG has invested a total of 91.5 million euros in this project.
Increased transmission capacity between Austria and Italy
The new line, the new transformers and the new substation will significantly increase the transmission capacities between Austria and Italy. According to Christoph Schuh, company spokesperson for APG, the new connection is of enormous importance for achieving the climate targets: "The intensive use of hydropower in western Austria and the planned further expansion of wind power and PV systems in Italy and Europe will result in an increased exchange of electricity between all countries in the Alpine region. To manage this, new line and substation capacities are required, in particularly to make affordable electricity available to all consumers."
Investments such as this are necessary to ensure a secure power supply, even under the demands of the energy future. "APG is investing nine billion euros in the domestic electricity infrastructure until 2034. These investments are crucial for coping with the challenges of the future, ensuring the success of the energy transition and the electrification of Tyrol and Austria's businesses, industry and society," says Schuh.
About Austrian Power Grid (APG)
As independent transmission system operator Austrian Power Grid (APG) is in charge of ensuring the security of 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, we are the platform for the electricity market, and we provide access to reasonably priced electricity for Austria’s consumers and thus create the basis for Austria as supply-secure and future-oriented industrial and business location and place to live. The APG grid totals a length of about 3,400 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 850 specialists. Thanks to our committed employees Austria had a security of supply of 99.99 percent also in 2022 and thus ranks among the top countries worldwide. Our investments of 490 million euros in 2023 (2022: 370 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 renovation projects.
Press contact
Christoph Schuh
