Higher Austria’s most necessary infrastructure challenge and a key challenge for the vitality transition in the entire of Austria is now legally on monitor. The so-called 220-kV ring, an influence line for the central Linz space as a substitute for the 110-kV line, has obtained the decisive authorized approval from the Federal Administrative Court docket (BVwG). The deliberate begin of building for the facility line was 2024, with commissioning to happen progressively between 2026 and 2030. The schedule ought to now be met.
The accomplice challenge “Safe energy provide for the central area of Higher Austria” of the Austrian Energy Grid (APG), Netz Oberösterreich GmbH (Netz OÖ) and LINZ NETZ GmbH (LINZ NETZ) is a prerequisite for the decarbonization of voestalpine’s metal manufacturing and thus the idea for a major discount in CO2 and a profitable vitality transition in Austria, writes APG in an preliminary assertion. Netz OÖ is “more than happy with the discovering”. Along with Linz Netz, it’ll proceed to function the 110 kV line on high-voltage pylons, which at the moment are being changed.
Greater masts
The brand new 140 double-system masts will likely be constructed on roughly the identical space, however considerably increased than the earlier ones, that are round 70 years previous. Whereas the present 110-meter masts measure round 25 to 30 meters, the brand new ones will likely be 45 to 55 meters excessive. The challenge operators know that the best one will likely be subsequent to the motorway close to St. Florian.
The 110 kV traces will likely be routed on the identical energy pylon above the heavier 220 kV traces. “The route will stay largely the identical,” stated a Netz-OÖ spokesperson. A number of traces from the present 110 kV line (Ernsthofen – Hargelsberg or St. Pantaleon) will even be eradicated as a result of they’re now not wanted.
The implementation of the 220 kV provide ring within the central area of Higher Austria is a crucial contribution to the vitality transition and safety of provide in Higher Austria,” stated Markus Achleitner (ÖVP), State Councilor for Financial Affairs and Vitality. With voestalpine’s Inexperienced Metal challenge, round 2 million tons of CO2 might be saved in Higher Austria from 2027. “Anybody who says sure to the vitality transition should additionally say sure to the enlargement of the traces.” The resistance to this challenge is all of the extra incomprehensible as a result of the implementation is to happen largely on present routes.
The challenge operators submitted the ring line for an environmental influence evaluation (EIA) in November 2021. On March 9, 2023, the state of Higher Austria gave the inexperienced gentle. Three complaints had been filed towards the EIA determination, which the state didn’t grant suspensive impact to. The Federal Administrative Court docket initially noticed issues in another way, however has now revised its authentic view and waved the challenge by way of.
Development preparation begins
With the present affirmation of the optimistic EIA determination by the BVwG, not solely has the environmental compatibility of the challenge been confirmed as soon as once more, in accordance with APG, however “the approval can be absolutely consumable.” Which means there is no such thing as a longer any suspensive impact and thus “the required steps can start earlier than the precise begin of building.” This contains the implementation of ecological necessities (e.g. amphibian fences), building website setup, clearing of the development website and different preparatory work. “As quickly as these are accomplished, we are able to start implementation,” says Christoph Schuh, firm spokesman for APG.
Means finish for gasoline energy vegetation within the central area
Stefan Kaineder (Greens), the State Councillor for the Atmosphere and Local weather, who can be chargeable for the environmental influence evaluation, is delighted: “It’s the central challenge for the vitality transition in Higher Austria.” Along with the long-term shutdown of fossil energy vegetation within the central area of Higher Austria, the brand new provide ring may even allow voestalpine’s metal manufacturing to be transformed from fossil-fuelled blast furnaces to arc melting furnaces. “With the long run improve of the facility line, we’re getting a recent coronary heart within the centre of our nation that may pulsate for generations to return.”
Development will start within the fall, which is a slight delay from the unique schedule, in accordance with Netz OÖ. Nonetheless, the primary building section will likely be accomplished in 2026, in time for voestalpine to obtain its inexperienced electrical energy in 2027. The total enlargement of the 220 kV ring will likely be in 2030.
Additionally necessary for electrical energy suppliers
The 220-kV ring is just not solely a prerequisite for the decarbonization of voestalpine’s metal manufacturing, but additionally serves to assist all the electrical energy grid within the central area and the Mühlviertel, says Achleitner. “That is additionally necessary for different grid enlargement initiatives, particularly with regard to the feed-in of renewable energies.” Netz OÖ factors out that the decrease electrical energy ranges should first be made match for feed-in. “We’re working arduous on this.”
Achleitner once more referred to as on a future federal authorities to make sure that, within the case of vitality transition initiatives – because of the urgency of implementation – the suspensive impact of complaints ought to typically be excluded by legislation sooner or later.
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Ulrike Rubasch
Enterprise Editor
Ulrike Rubasch
