Austria approves 40-kilometre WAG Loop 1 gas pipeline

Austria has approved construction of the 40-kilometre WAG Loop 1 natural gas pipeline between Bad Leonfelden and Oberkappel, ORF reported on Wednesday. The project is intended to strengthen the country’s gas supply.

The pipeline will run between the valve station in Bad Leonfelden, in the Urfahr-Umgebung district, and the metering station in Oberkappel, in the Rohrbach district. According to the Upper Austrian government, it will mostly follow the existing pipeline network and enable gas from the west to be transported to Austria more efficiently.

Upper Austria’s Environment and Climate Councillor Stefan Kaineder of the Greens said the project had undergone a comprehensive and transparent assessment. The approval includes conditions because the project will affect existing woodland. Areas where trees are removed must be reforested, with the authorities requiring plantings designed to withstand future climate conditions.

Technical requirements included in the approval are also intended to protect groundwater. The pipeline forms part of the existing long-distance gas network and is designed to be usable for hydrogen transport in the future. The operator cited security of supply as one reason for the project.