Austrian Power Grid plans multi-million euro electricity line expansion

Austrian Power Grid is planning a major expansion of the electricity transmission line connecting Sarasdorf in Burgenland to Vienna. The project involves upgrading the existing 220-kV line, parts of which date back to the 1960s, to a 380-kV capacity. The company expects to invest in the hundreds of millions of euros to facilitate this upgrade.

According to project lead Stefan Pölzlbauer, the plan utilizes existing corridors for most of the route, though one section requires complete rerouting. The project involves approximately 75 kilometers of new construction and 70 kilometers of decommissioning. This expansion is driven by projections that electricity generation in Lower Austria and Burgenland could quintuple from 2020 levels, while overall demand in Austria is expected to double.

Public information sessions, such as one held in Himberg, have seen significant attendance and mixed reactions from local landowners. While some residents view the new infrastructure as an economic relief by improving land management, others have expressed strong opposition and intend to file formal objections to the project. The project is currently in the planning phase, with the environmental impact assessment scheduled for submission next year.