The Italian Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security has just authorized the “Elmed” electrical interconnection between Italy and Tunisia, by decree signed on May 10. This electrical interconnection project will be carried out by the company Terna and Steg. Investments of around 850 million euros will be mobilized for the construction of this power line which extends over a total length of approximately 220 km with an underwater cable.
The 600 MW DC connection will reach a maximum depth of around 800 meters along the Sicilian Canal. According to the Italian Minister of the Environment and Energy Security, Gilberto Pichetto, “the authorization of the new interconnection between Italy and Tunisia constitutes an important step in the energy transition policy. It is part of the ambitious objectives set in the Pniec (integrated national energy-climate plan), allowing the country, due to its strategic geographical position, to strengthen the role of an electricity “hub” in Europe and the region. Mediterranean”.
Decarbonization of the system
Elmed is one of the most important projects in the 2024-2028 business plan of the Italian operator Terna. The authorization obtained from the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security constitutes an important step towards its realization. Once operational, the works will make a significant contribution to the system’s decarbonization trajectory. In this sense, interconnections represent a necessary tool to increase the level of energy independence of the two countries and diversify the sources of energy supply.
For Italy, Africa represents a land of opportunities: investments, infrastructure, and the transfer of skills are the key factors for solid and lasting collaborations. For the President of the Sicilian Region, Renato Schifani, the project of the new electricity line which will connect Italy and Tunisia will have a multiple impact for both parties. It represents a great strategic opportunity in the face of the new challenges to be faced by Europe and Africa. Thanks to its geographical location and environmental characteristics, the Island of Sicily presents itself as a candidate to become an important national energy hub.
On the Italian side, the land cable will extend 18 kilometers from the landing point of Castelvetrano (TP), to the converter station which will be built in Partanna (TP), close to the existing electricity station. In Tunisia, the power plant will be built in Mlaabi, on the Cap Bon peninsula. The authorized interconnection is one of the projects of the Mattei Plan.
The Italy-Tunisia electricity bridge constitutes a strategic work for the Italian electricity system. It aims to improve the integration of the markets of the European Union and North African countries. Note that the envelope allocated to financing the project work is provided by the European Commission through the Connecting Europe Facility (“Cef”) financing program, intended for the development of key projects aimed at strengthening community energy infrastructure.
