Terna, completed the laying of the eastern branch of the Tyrrhenian Link, will connect Campania and Sicily

Rome, May 8 – (Adnkronos) – The laying of the first submarine cable of the eastern branch of the Tyrrhenian Link, one of Terna’s most important electrical infrastructures for the country, which will connect Campania and Sicily, has been completed. In just over two months, approximately 490 km of power line have been installed, starting from Fiumetorto, in the Municipality of Termini Imerese, up to Torre Tuscia Magazzeno, in the Municipality of Battipaglia.

In detail, the laying was carried out in two phases: the first, 260 km long, was completed in March; the second, 230 km long, was started in April.

The completion of the connection laying operations took place off the Campania coast of Battipaglia aboard Prysmian's Leonardo Da Vinci vessel, which in 2021 was awarded the framework contract for the design, supply, installation and testing of over 1,500 km of cables. Giuseppina Di Foggia, CEO and General Manager of Terna, and Raul Gil, Evp Transmission BU of Prysmian, spoke during the presentation.

“The completion of the laying of the submarine cable between Sicily and Campania is an important milestone, for Terna and for the country, in the decarbonisation process outlined by the National Integrated Plan for Energy and Climate. Large marine infrastructures represent the company's sustainable response to the constant growth in energy demand, through innovative, effective and low environmental impact solutions. The eastern section of the Tyrrhenian Link is the longest submarine connection ever built by Terna, with approximately 490 km of direct current cable at a maximum depth of 1,560 metres. Also thanks to the support of Prysmian, we can confirm the entry into service of this section of the work in 2026,” said Giuseppina Di Foggia, CEO and General Manager of Terna. “For the project, Terna has received €500 million in funding under the REPowerEU programme. The Tyrrhenian Link, an enabling work for the national energy transition, will strengthen Italy's role as the energy hub of the Mediterranean.”

Prysmian, explains Raul Gil, EVP Transmission BU, Prysmian, "is at the heart of the Italian and European energy and digital transformations. We are proud to collaborate once again with Terna in this ambitious project that strengthens the Italian electricity infrastructure and promotes the energy transition. With the Tyrrhenian Link, one of the longest interconnections in the world, and our cable-laying vessel Leonardo da Vinci, we have achieved new technological and operational milestones, setting new world standards (installation record at 2,150 meters of depth). We are committed every day to guarantee safer and more sustainable electricity networks, constantly investing in innovation, sustainability and production capacity".

The Tyrrhenian Link, for which Terna plans to invest a total of €3.7 billion, includes two 500 kV direct current connections: the eastern branch between Campania and Sicily and the western branch between Sicily and Sardinia. The infrastructure will extend for approximately 970 km of marine cable route, with a transport capacity of 1,000 MW for each section. The completion of the work is scheduled for 2028. Thanks to its transmission capacity, the Tyrrhenian Link will significantly contribute to achieving the decarbonisation objectives established by the National Integrated Plan for Energy and Climate. The infrastructure, which is essential for the security of the Italian and European electricity grid, will promote, thanks to the strengthening of the electrical interconnection of the three regions involved, Campania, Sicily and Sardinia, the increase in exchange capacity and will contribute to improving the adequacy and flexibility of the national electricity transmission grid.

In parallel with the marine laying, civil works are proceeding at the sites that will host the converter stations in Eboli and Termini Imerese. In Campania, the infrastructure will be connected to the Torre Tuscia Magazzeno landing place via an underground power line of approximately 15 km, designed to minimize environmental and landscape impact. Similarly, in Sicily, the station will be connected to the Fiumetorto landing place with an underground cable route of approximately 10 km.