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Definitive and unequivocal legal clarification of the most important infrastructure project in Austria.
Vienna (OTS) – “Today is a good day for the energy transition and for the secure electricity supply in Salzburg and Austria. With today’s decision of the VwGH, the approval of the most important electrical infrastructure project in the state was confirmed once again and beyond any doubt, ”says Gerhard Christiner, APG’s technical director in a first statement on the Court’s decision Administrative (VwGH) published today on the Salzburg line. With this decision, the energy transition catches a tailwind: the measures envisaged in the framework of the EAG (Renewable Expansion Law), such as the decarbonisation of industry and commerce, the transition of mobility and the rapid expansion of the renewable energies will be possible.
The legally binding construction permit for the Salzburg line is available from March 2019. Therefore, in October 2019, construction work began immediately in the interest of the energy transition and safe electricity supply in Austria. The legal issues decided today by the VwGH (EIA positive decision revisions) clarify the final legal details in relation to the project. Attention was focused on questions about the local jurisdiction of the Salzburg state government as EIA authority or the qualification of “roadblocks” (logging in the area of the pipeline route) as clearing under forest law. “This lawsuit creates total clarity for everyone involved in this extremely lengthy legal process. I would like to expressly reiterate that this procedure did not refer to the legality of the Salzburgleitung project itself, but to essential aspects in terms of legal certainty. This ultimately cleared up any questions left open to opponents of the project and confirmed APG’s legal approach, ”says Thomas Karall, APG board member.
With the VwGH decision, all legal instances in which legal objections could be raised against management have been exhausted.
Investments help location and job market
“At € 890 million, the Salzburg line is by far the most important investment project in Austria’s electrical infrastructure. Of the approx. 350 million euros, which APG is investing this year in the expansion of the electricity grid, only the Salzburg line has a share of 125 million euros for the national economy, ”said Christiner. In addition, it is critical at this time that infrastructure investments are implemented quickly and immediately. In the crisis of the Crown, every euro that is invested is particularly important for the Austrian economy.
The Salzburg line at a glance
Around 890 million euros are being invested in the Salzburg line, which will guarantee around 2,250 jobs in Salzburg alone. The central concern in planning was to show the highest possible consideration for people and nature. After the completion of the Salzburg line, there will be 229 fewer masts in Salzburg due to the removal and dismantling of old lines: the total length of the dismantling is 193 km or 678 masts. The total length of the new Salzburg line is 128 km and 449 masts. Commissioning is scheduled for 2025 and decommissioning will be completed by 2026.
The project also includes extensive compensation measures for nature with a volume of around 45 million euros. For example, habitats for birds, amphibians and reptiles, bats and insects are being secured and improved in an area of more than 1,100 ha.
The approval process for the Salzburg line took a total of 77 months (almost six and a half years).
Timeline of legal milestones in the Salzburg management project
- Presentation of the project to the Salzburg state government as EIA authority – September 2012
- Positive decision of the Salzburg state government – December 2015
- Judgment of the Federal Administrative Court – March 5, 2019
- Administrative Tribunal Decision – October 15, 2020
About Austrian Power Grid (APG)
Austrian Power Grid (APG) is Austria’s independent electricity grid operator, which controls and is responsible for the supra-regional electricity transmission grid. APG’s infrastructure secures Austria’s electricity supply and is therefore the livelihood of Austria, the population and its businesses. The APG network extends over a route length of about 3,400 km, which the company operates and maintains with a team of around 600 specialists and is continuously adapting to the growing demands of companies and society. APG’s power grid capabilities are the prerequisite for a successful energy transition. Employees develop products suitable for the market, master the physics and ensure safety and efficiency for Austria. With an investment volume of 350 million euros for the expansion and renovation of the network infrastructure in 2020, APG is giving a strong boost to the national construction industry. APG will invest a total of around 2,900 million euros in the expansion and renewal of the network over the next ten years. That’s about 16 percent of the total € 18 billion that the electronics industry will invest in expanding the network over the next ten years. In the 2020 sustainable brand rating, APG is ranked first in the utility infrastructure category and second in the overall rating in the investment category.
Queries and contact:
Mag. Christoph Schuh
Leitung Corporate Communications & Reputation Management
Company spokesperson
T +43 50 320 56230
M christoph.schuh@apg.at
