Austria needs electricity. Your hairdryer needs a transformer.
Transformers are the heart of every substation: they convert the 380 kilovolts of our extra-high voltage grid to lower voltage levels so that every device that needs electricity - from hairdryers to washing machines to electric cars - is reliably supplied with the right voltage every single day, all year round.
The Austrian electricity grid is divided into several grid levels: the extra-high, high, medium, and low-voltage levels. Each province has its distribution grid, which transports low-voltage electricity directly to the consumers.
The individual distribution grids are interconnected by APG's trans-regional transmission grid, which transports electricity across Austria over long distances at the extra-high voltage levels of 220 and 380 kilovolts, as well as at the high-voltage level of 110 kilovolts. This means that climate-friendly wind and solar power that is not fully consumed in Burgenland or Lower Austria can be transported to the large storage power plants in the Alps or simply to wherever the electricity is needed - to your home, for example, so you can blow-dry your hair!
The long journey of electricity: transformers are the link between APG and the distribution grids (german only)
67
100
35.240 MVA
65
12 transformers
approx. 300
True heroes: Our special transformers, known as phase shifters, have real superpowers - they can redirect the current flow and thus reduce the load on the grid.
Complex delivery: first by ship, then by rail, and the last few meters by remote-controlled special vehicle. Uphill. Through an S-curve. This last stage took 3 hours via the heavy-duty access road to the substation. The result: More power for the greater area of Villach
Official APG logistics partner: The Easter Bunny. It brought a 260-ton egg just in time for Holy Week 2024. A bunny with the license to ensure the security of supply. James Bond would be jealous.