The Expansion of the Austrian Transmission Grid

This study examines the expansion of the Austrian transmission grid as a measure driven by national and European policies to ensure security of supply. Against the backdrop of the energy transition, electrification, and increasing grid demands, it analyzes key challenges and governance mechanisms at the national and European levels.A qualitative analysis reveals that existing bottlenecks are driven less by technical factors than by political and administrative ones. In particular, complex permitting procedures, institutional fragmentation, and short-term energy policy decisions act as major barriers to implementation.The findings illustrate that security of supply in the context of grid expansion is primarily a governance issue and depends significantly on effective coordination between national and European stakeholders.