LIENZ, AUSTRIA — The new Austrian Power Grid (APG) substation is part of an local €30 million ($35.3 million) project to ensure safe and efficient power distribution in East Tirol and should ease the inclusion of renewables in the Austrian electricity network.

After a year of constructions and technical checking APG (Austrian Power Grid) has powered up its 380/220-kV transformer at the Lienz substation in Nußdorf-Debant.

The new transformer will provide a safeguard from power outages and blackouts for all of Austria and is expected to enable the nation-wide inclusion of green wind power.

The €7.5 million ($8.8 million) invested in the transformer make up a quarter of the investment scheme currently being implemented on site by APG: The entire overhaul project is worth €30 million ($35.3 million) and is expected to considerably improve the quality and stability of East Tirol’s power transmission and distribution network.

“The Lienz substation is the only Feeder in East Tirol on APG’s 380/220-kV high-voltage grid, and is therefore extremely important for the region's power supply,“ said Wolfgang Ranninger, the project manager. “After 60 years of operating many parts of the system are in need of an overhaul. We have been working on the 220-kV switchgear, which connects TINETZ-Tiroler grid's regional lines with the nationwide APG grid, step-by-step since autumn 2016, so that we might ensure that electricity will continue to flow to every single household and business plug for decades to come. “

Due to its size, the 816-tons unit had to be delivered in three separate parts and then assembled on site. The process was successfully completed on August 19, 2021.

“The first time a power transformer is connected to the rest of the system is always an exciting and suspenseful one, but we are ready. All safety and control systems have been thoroughly checked three weeks in advance,” said Ranninger.

With the assistance of the Kärnten-based Malta power plant group, the transformer was steadily powered up over the duration of two days and is now fully operational.

The entire project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2022.

Source: APG