Secure Electricity Supply for the Iseltal Valley and the whole of East Tyrol: APG and TINETZ Build New Matrei Substation

Rising electricity consumption, especially in the winter, as well as the sharp increase in the feed-in of electricity from small-scale hydropower plants and many new photovoltaic systems in the summer, require additional support for the approximately 36km-long 110kV line of TINETZ that supplies the Iseltal valley with electricity. "Currently, the TINETZ power line for supplying the Iseltal valley is connected to APG's Austria-wide electricity grid only at a single point, the APG substation in Lienz. A second connection via the new Matrei substation will massively improve the power supply both in the Iseltal valley and in the entire region," says Wolfgang Ranninger, who is managing the project on behalf of APG. TINETZ's existing 110kV Matrei substation has been undergoing expansion since fall 2023. Right next to it, a completely new 380kV APG facility is being built. 

New connection between the Austria-wide transmission grid and the regional distribution grid

APG's 380kV line, which runs directly past the site, will be integrated into the new 380/110kV transformer station as part of the project. This will create an additional connection between the trans-regional transmission grid and the regional distribution grid, which means that the important 110kV supply line through the Iseltal valley will be connected to the APG grid at two points from the summer of 2025. This will result in a significant improvement in the overall grid situation with less susceptibility to disturbances. Similarly, it will be easier to switch off the line for necessary maintenance work in the future. Currently, this is only possible to a very limited extent and on a few days per year.

Giant transformer as link

APG project manager Ranninger: "The most important link between the grids of APG and TINETZ is a 12-meter long, 5-meter wide, 10-meter high transformer with a weight of 365 tons. It converts the voltage from 380kV to 110kV and can transfer 200 megavolt amperes (MVA) in both directions - depending on whether East Tyrol is drawing electricity from the APG grid or feeding surplus hydropower and solar power into the APG grid." The 110kV side of the transformer will be connected to TINETZ's new 110kV switchgear from where the electricity will be distributed to the substations Gruben and Lienz. This will ensure a sustainable power supply for the Iseltal valley and the district of Lienz from two sides. The transformer is scheduled to be delivered in the spring of 2025.

Integration of renewable energies 

Frequently, more sustainable green electricity is produced in East Tyrol than can be consumed in the region. Thanks to the new connection to APG’s 380kV grid via the Matrei substation, more surplus energy from renewables can be fed into the APG grid in the future and transported throughout Austria to wherever it is needed, or to the large storage power plants, the "green batteries" of the Alps. The project thus also makes an important contribution to the energy transition in Austria. A rapid expansion and conversion of the electricity grids is indispensable for further decarbonizing the entire energy system without jeopardizing the security of supply. In addition to the expansion of the Matrei substation, APG is therefore investing a total of nine billion euros in many other energy transition projects by 2034 – and is thus significantly increasing the security of supply for society, businesses, and industry in Austria.

The most important project information at a glance:

• This is being built:
  • 380kV switchgear
  • 110kV switchgear
  • 380/110kV transformer
• Status quo of construction work APG: Foundations / Building
• Status quo of construction work TINETZ: completion of switchgear building and installation of line portals
• As of summer 2024: installation of electronic and technical equipment
• Total investment: approx. EUR 46.5 million
• Start of construction: mid-2023
• Scheduled start of operation: summer 2025

Pictures: Martin Lugger (Publication free of charge if credit is given)

Should you have any questions, please contact:

Austrian Power Grid

Mag. (FH) Mara Schwarz-Mitrovic, Press officer

+43 (0) 664 828 69 89, mara.schwarz-mitrovic@apg.at, www.apg.at

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 3,500 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 850 specialists. 67 substations are distributed all over Austria and the majority is operated remotely from APG’s control center in Vienna’s 10th district. Thanks to our committed employees Austria had a security of supply of 99.99 percent also in 2023 and thus ranks among the top countries worldwide. Our investments of 445 million euros in 2024 (2023: 490 million euros, 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.

About TINETZ

With over 500 employees, around 12,000 km of lines, 51 substations, and approx. 4,250 transformer stations, TINETZ-Tiroler Netze GmbH is the largest distribution grid operator in Tyrol, supplying the population and business enterprises as well as a large number of energy service providers with electricity in a secure and cost-efficient way at over 250,000 withdrawal points. Every year, TINETZ invests over 100 million euros in the modernization and expansion of the electricity grid - 138 million euros are budgeted for 2024, tendency increasing. This makes the electricity supply in Tyrol one of the most secure and stable in Europe.