The Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security has authorized Elmed, the first electricity interconnection project between Italy and Tunisia which will be built by Terna and Steg, the operator of the Tunisian grid. This was announced in a joint press release explaining that a total investment of approximately 850 million euros is expected. “The authorization of the new interconnection between Italy and Tunisia – declares Minister Gilberto Pichetto – will allow the country, by virtue of its strategic geographical position, to strengthen its role as an electricity ‘hub’ in Europe and the Mediterranean area, becoming an international protagonist ”.
Of the 850 million, 307 million were allocated by the European Commission through the Connecting Europe Facility financing program, intended for the development of key projects aimed at strengthening community energy infrastructure, explains the note. “The authorized interconnection – continues the note – is one of the projects of the Mattei Plan. The Italy-Tunisia electricity bridge is a strategic work for the Italian electricity system within the energy transition objectives set by the Integrated Action Plan for Energy and Climate (Pniec), as it aims to improve market integration of the European Union and North African countries. Elmed also guarantees greater development of renewable sources and the improvement of the security of energy supply”.
The power line will have a total length of approximately 220 kilometres, most of which will be a submarine cable. The 600 MW direct current connection will reach a maximum depth of approximately 800 meters along the Sicilian Channel. As regards the Italian side of the work, the terrestrial cable will extend for 18 km from the Castelvetrano landing place, in the Trapani area, to the conversion station which will be built in Partanna, near the existing electricity station. In Tunisia, the electricity station will be built in Mlaabi, on the Cape Bon peninsula.
“Interconnected and technologically advanced networks are the basis of a safe and sustainable electricity system – states Giuseppina Di Foggia, CEO and General Manager of Terna -. Elmed is one of the most significant projects in Terna’s 2024-2028 Industrial Plan. Once operational, the work will make a significant contribution to the system’s decarbonisation path. In this sense, interconnections represent a necessary tool to increase the level of energy independence of our country and to diversify energy supply sources”.
“The definitive authorization is a great result in the energy transition process which sees our country at the forefront. A goal for which Sicily has played a leading role and which represents a great strategic opportunity for the new challenges that see Europe and Africa increasingly linked. The island is a candidate to become an important national energy hub, with significant repercussions in terms of economic development”, commented the president of the Sicilian Region Renato Schifani.
