Across Salzburg

Old power lines are gradually being cut

The new 380 kV Salzburg line replaces hundreds of old electricity pylons across the country.(Bild: Pressefoto Scharinger/Daniel Scharinger)

As the new 380 kV Salzburg line is now in operation, 678 old pylons will be dismantled by next year. Work is currently taking place on the lines that are being cut. 

As reported, the long-disputed 380 kV overhead line in Salzburg is now in operation. The old 110 kV and 220 kV lines, including the pylons, are therefore being dismantled. Over the past few days, workers have repeatedly been seen on the pylons, working on cutting the power lines. "We are working our way from the Elixhausen substation towards Kaprun. Work has also already begun in the other direction from Kaprun," says project operator Austrian Power Grid (APG).

All dismantling work should be completed by 2026. Some of these are very complex. Where possible, the old pylons will be removed using a mobile crane. However, this is often not feasible in the mountains. Helicopters are used there - with consequences. From August 1, for example, hiking trails 415, 450, 457 and 458 in the Hagengebirge will be closed for safety reasons until the end of the year. In the end, 678 pylons will be dismantled and there will be a total of 229 fewer electricity pylons thanks to the new line. However, the new 380 kV line means that more than 400 huge new pylons will have been erected. In many areas there was fierce resistance from the population.