Shaping Austria’s energy future: Michael Tiroch appointed Commercial Managing Director of Powerlines Energy Austria
Powerlines Energy Austria is strengthening its management team to support the continued expansion of Austria’s energy infrastructure. Michael Tiroch was appointed Commercial Managing Director of Powerlines Energy Austria with effect from 1 November 2026. He jointly leads the Austrian energy business with Thomas Tschachler.
“Austria’s energy future is vital to its competitiveness. Security of supply, the integration of renewable energy and the decarbonisation of the economy all depend on high-performance grids. Energy policy objectives therefore need to translate into tangible, economically viable infrastructure. Powerlines Energy Austria helps make this happen. Michael Tiroch’s appointment strengthens our commercial leadership, enabling us to help shape this development responsibly over the long term and seize the opportunities in this growing market,” says Berthold Bartsch, CEO of the Powerlines Group, which operates across Europe and is headquartered in Wolkersdorf im Weinviertel.
Powerlines Energy Austria, based in Bad St. Leonhard in Carinthia, is one of Austria’s leading energy infrastructure companies. As a key enabler of the energy transition, the company plans, builds and modernises major transformation projects involving overhead power lines, substations and switchgear.
Michael Tiroch brings extensive management experience in infrastructure and industry to Powerlines. His responsibilities have spanned corporate management, financing, commercial project management, organisational development and digitalisation. Most recently, he served as Managing Director of the Starmann Group, following his role as CFO of the SPL Tele Group. A graduate of the Vienna University of Economics and Business, he began his career in corporate banking at Raiffeisenlandesbank Niederösterreich-Wien. As Commercial Managing Director, he jointly leads Powerlines Energy Austria with its long-standing Technical Managing Director, Thomas Tschachler.
“We take an integrated approach to energy infrastructure, from overhead power lines, substations and switchgear to grid connections. Together with Powerlines Energy Solutions, we combine this expertise with battery storage, photovoltaics and charging infrastructure. The result is technically and economically viable solutions for our customers, delivered safely and designed for long-term reliability. I look forward to working with Michael Tiroch and our strong team at Powerlines Energy Austria to deliver the growing number of integrated projects supporting the energy transition,” says Thomas Tschachler, Managing Director of Powerlines Energy Austria.
Powerlines stands for end-to-end project management — from planning and engineering through manufacturing and installation to commissioning. Technical quality, safety and cost efficiency underpin delivery, whether on complex modernisation or expansion projects or in challenging alpine terrain.
Customers include energy suppliers, grid operators, and industrial and infrastructure companies. Successfully completed construction and dismantling work on the Salzburg power line, as well as the ongoing comprehensive refurbishment of the Ennstal power line, are among Powerlines’ latest major energy projects in Austria.
Shaping growth. Rooted in the region.
“Given the complexity of energy projects, technical expertise must be complemented by clear commercial and organisational management. I look forward to contributing my many years of experience in project-based business, industry and infrastructure to create the commercial and organisational foundations for further growth together with Thomas Tschachler and our teams. Reliable project delivery and long-term customer relationships are my priorities,” says Michael Tiroch.
From its base in Bad St. Leonhard in Carinthia, Powerlines Energy Austria contributes local market knowledge and delivery expertise, and provides operations and servicing. As a rapidly growing company in a market with strong future potential, it offers employees the opportunity to play a direct role in shaping Austria’s energy infrastructure and green transformation.
