📋 Tender Overview
Energy generation and agriculture go hand in hand: Agri-PV project of the OBB in Upper Austria provides synergies for solar power, sheep, chickens and biodiversity
Win-Win: More 100% green rail stream and double use of the area
(Riedau/Taiskirchen, August 07, 2025)-With its second Agri-Photovoltaic system, the OBB takes another important step towards climate protection and sustainable energy production. In addition to energy generation, the innovative AGRI PV project also serves to create the habitat for animals and plants. The planting of flower strips with regional seeds ensures increased biodiversity. Around 9,600 chickens and 150 sheep benefit from the pasture area among photovoltaic modules, while the surroundings become home to small animals, birds, butterflies and insects.
With an annual electricity yield of approx. 19 GWH, the system will make a significant contribution to supplying green rail flow and further strengthen the self -supply of OBB. Grunstrom, biodiversity and animal -friendly agriculture therefore go hand in hand.
Project for 100% green railway current
As one of the largest climate protection companies in Austria, OBB saves around 3.5 million tons of CO2 annually. An important contribution is the use of renewable energy for the supply of trains and operating facilities. For more independence, the OBB want to increase the level of self -supply with a green railway current by 2030, and even 67 % in the building area. The OBB also rely on innovations such as 2024 with the first AGRI PV system for railway current in Thalsdorf (Carinthia) and now also in Upper Austria.
OBB-infrastructure AG Board of Directors Johann Pluy is proud: Since 2018 we have been using 100 % green rail stream and have also been supplying all buildings, systems and container terminals completely with 100 % electricity from renewable energies since 2019. The sun is an important supplier. With this AGRI PV system, we set a strong signal for energy supply 100 % green rail and at the same time. We can graze chickens, we use synergies efficiently, ecologically and regionally.
Oliver Eisenhold, Head of Energy, RWA Raiffeisen Ware Austria:
We as a RWA have long-term top experience in the implementation of large-scale photovoltaic projects in Austria-and bring our expertise into every new project, including the system in Riedau. From the early conception phase to commissioning, we were able to incorporate our technical and organizational know-how. To develop in which the generated PV current is fed directly into rail traffic.
Photovoltaic modules were installed on an area of around 18 hectares that generate enough electricity for around 6,000 railjet trips from Vienna to Linz-while promoting agriculture and biodiversity. Due to its proximity to the train, the 16.7-Hertz railway stream produced can be fed directly into the overhead line. This also means less cable losses, helping the ram foundations used remains the soil ability of the soil and the system can be reduced without residue after its technical lifespan. The chickens and sheep feel very comfortable under the shade modules at the same time.
The OBB energy strategy
Thanks to the expansion and modernization of their own water, solar and wind turbines, OBB, together with partners, want to increase the level of self-supply from 60% to 80% and 11% to 67% for operating systems. In addition, internal energy efficiency, for example, is to be increased by 25% by modernizing the rail flow network or building optimization. The OBB become more independent of external energy suppliers and also relieve the public power grid. The OBB will invest 1.6 billion euros by 2030.
