Name of the Project
Italy-Tunisia electricity interconnection project.

Location
Italy and Tunisia.

Project Owner/s
Elmed Études, a joint venture (JV) between Terna, and Société Tunisienne de l’Électricité et du Gaz (Steg) which manages the Italian and Tunisian electricity transmission grids respectively.

Project Description
The 600 MW Italy-Tunisia interconnection will be an important project for two-way electricity transfer between the two countries.

Stretching more than 200 km over land and subsea sections to a depth of 800 m, the ‘invisible’ cable will add resilience to power supply.

The undersea connection is strategic for the two countries’ energy security and sustainability, and for the creation of a Mediterranean electricity grid that connects North African countries with Europe, with the aim of full market integration.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
Not stated.

Planned Start/End Date
Not stated.

Latest Developments
Multinational group Rina, in JV with the Tunisian subsidiary Comete Engineering, has been awarded a public tender for the marine feasibility study for the project. The study will identify two possible landfalls at either end of the interconnection, determining the best options in terms of geological and environmental aspects. It will also establish possible routes for the underwater section, identifying and evaluating constraints and obstacles.

Initial landfall and route studies will be followed by topographic, nearshore and offshore field surveys. Preliminary geophysical surveys will be followed by a detailed survey of the seabed using instruments mounted on remotely operated underwater vehicles.

The final stages of the project will cover seabed characterisation at the Italian site, in accordance with relevant laws and regulations. The fieldwork will take about three to four months.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Rina and Comete Engineering.

Contact Details for Project Information
Terna, tel +39 06 8313 9081 or email ufficio.stampa@terna.it.
Steg, tel +216 71 341311 or dpsc@steg.com.tn.