The Government of Italy announced the approval of the first electrical interconnection with Tunisia; a project classified as a “strategic work for the Italian electrical system” approved by decree on May 10 with an approximate investment of €850 million.
First electrical interconnection in Italy-Tunisia
The Italian Minister of the Environment, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, stressed that this project will strengthen the country, improving its strategic position as an electrical node in Europe and the Mediterranean, for future energy objectives.
The initiative contemplates the construction of an electrical line approximately 220 km long , with the majority of the route under the sea. This was announced in a joint statement by the Ministry of the Environment and Terna, the Italian company responsible for the work, together with STEG, the Tunisian network operator.
It is also important to highlight that it will be the first electrical interconnection between Europe and North Africa . Both countries have strengthened their relations in recent years, collaborating in areas such as migration, an issue that Italy seeks to manage with Tunisian support.
The power range of the power line
The infrastructure is seen as a great achievement and will have a section that will pass through Sicily. Renato Schifani, president of the aforementioned region, highlighted that this project offers energy opportunities, by facing new challenges that link Europe and Africa.
It is important to mention that the terrestrial cable will extend for 18 km from the Sicilian municipality of Castelvetrano to the conversion station in Partanna, also in Sicily. On the Tunisian side, a power plant will be built in the Mlaabi area on the Cape Bon peninsula.
This electric bridge is part of the Mattei Plan, promoted by the Government of Giorgia Meloni for North Africa and the Sahel. Furthermore, the project aims to improve the integration of the markets of the European Union and North African countries , ensure greater development of renewable sources and optimize the security of regional electricity supply.
The installation of a power line in Italy. Source: Terna SpA
Of the total investment of €850 million, €307 million comes from the European Commission as part of its program to strengthen the development of key energy infrastructure in the community. It is notable that this is the first time that the EU has financed a project in which one of the participating countries is not a member of the Union, the statement highlights.
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Source and photo: Terna
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