This was announced on Friday by the Italian state-controlled network operator Terna and the Austro transmission system operator Austrian Power Grid (APG). APG invested 91.5 million euros and Terna 80 million euros.
The new 220 kilovolt line extends over a length of a good 27 kilometers over the Reschen Pass between the new APG Nauders substation and the Glurns substation. It allows neighboring countries to increase the maximum import capacity to 300 MW. According to Terna, this corresponds to doubling the current capacity. APG said that the new connection would also improve the power supply in the Austro-Italian border area.
Construction work began in 2020. The connection of the new 220 kV line to the Nauders substation, which is also new, is carried out via a 380 kV switchgear, a 380/220 kV transformer, two 220/220 kV phase shifter transformers and a 220 kV switchgear. The Nauders substation is connected to the Austrian power grid via a 380 kV line that leads to the APG substation in West Tyrol. APG has invested a total of 91.5 million euros in the past three and a half years.
Enormous importance for achieving climate goals
According to Christoph Schuh, company spokesman for APG, the new connection is of enormous importance for achieving the climate goals: “The intensive use of hydropower in western Austria and the desired further expansion of wind power and photovoltaics in Italy and Europe are leading to increased electricity exchange between all countries in the Alpine region.” In order to manage this, new line and substation capacities are required. Such capacities are important for the provision of “cheap” electricity. According to its own information, APG will invest the sum of 9 billion euros in the domestic electricity infrastructure by 2034.
