2nd Malta-Sicily Cable Link
The project consists of a new ~118km long 225MW HVAC electrical cable interconnection through a submarine cable operating at 220kV between Malta (Maghtab) and Sicily (Ragusa) to be laid in parallel but at a safe distance to the existing HVAC cable link which was commissioned in 2015.
The project is part of Maltese Government’s future energy strategy in meeting the 2030 climate and energy targets and the longer-term decarbonisation objectives. It aims at diversifying the island’s energy sources and meet the projected increase in electricity demand from economic growth and electrification of the transport sector.
The 2nd cable link will also strengthen the electricity interconnectivity with the EU electricity network, allow for increased importation of electricity sourced from renewables, optimise the use of local power generation, whilst allowing the increase in local renewable energy sources through the enhancement of the grid stability and balancing of intermittent RES.
Main Technical Parameters
Type
50 Hz – HVAC cable
Approx. Route length
118 km
Capacity
225MW
Nominal Voltage
220kV
Permiting
Maltese Permitting Procedure:
The Project Description Statement for the scope of the Maltese EIA screening was submitted to the Environment and Resources Authority in September 2021.
A Screening Decision was issued by the Authority in November 2021 where it was confirmed that the proposed development falls under Schedule I, Category II, Section 13.0.2.1 as well as Regulation 10 (3) of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations (S.L. 549.46).
The relevant documents can be accessed at this link.
Italian Permitting Procedure:
Meetings with Italian authorities have already been held in August 2021 during which a way forward was discussed. Similar to the Maltese section, it was confirmed that an Environmental impact assessment in line with the Decreto Legislativo 152/2006 is also required for the Italian Section of the Project.
Engineering
The second electrical interconnector project shall consist of an underwater and onshore cable link between the Maghtab terminal Station and the Ragusa 220kV substation in Sicily.
The second electrical interconnector project shall consist of an underwater and onshore cable link between the Maghtab terminal Station and the Ragusa 220kV substation in Sicily.
Similar to the first electrical interconnector, it shall have a nominal continuous rating capacity of 225MW, and can operate in a bi-directional mode, generally importing electricity from Sicily, but being technically able to transmit electricity from Malta to Sicily should excess electricity produced in Malta be available in the future.
The terminal points of the project shall be the 220kV substation at Contrada Cimillà in Ragusa operated by Terna and the Maghtab terminal station at Qalet Marku operated by Enemalta p.l.c.
The cable landing point in Malta shall be at Qalet Marku while the landing point in Sicily shall be sited at Marina di Ragusa. Trenchless shore approaches shall be adopted in both countries to minimise the environmental and visual impacts on the shore at the proposed landing areas.
The cable will be buried along the onshore route with no overhead lines.
Commercial & Regulatory
Project Benefits
- To increase the electricity interconnectivity with the European electricity network for meeting the forecasted increase in the island’s electricity demand as a result of economic growth and the electrification of road transport.
- To cater for contingency/emergency situations such as temporary damage to the existing cable link.
- Contribute to Malta’s future strategy in reaching its 2030 climate and energy targets, and in the longer term, the 2050 decarbonisation
- Optimisation of local power generation
- Improve the security of energy supply by diversifying of energy sources.
objectives. - Enabler of an increase in locally generated electricity from renewables by supplying a buffer to counterbalance for RES intermittency.
Timeline
June
A cabinet decision was taken by the Maltese Government to connect the Maltese electrical system to the European electrical grid and delegate this task to InterConnect Malta
September
ICM completed a preliminary route identification report taking in consideration alternate possible routes starting from Malta up to Ragusa
ICM started communication with both Maltese and Italian Authorities to discuss on the permitting required for this project. A project description statement was provided to the ERA
February - April
A call for tenders was issued in order to engage a contractor to carry out a preliminary marine route survey (PMRS) of the offshore route for this second interconnector project
April
A call for tenders was issued in order to engage a contractor to carry out the Front End Engineering Design (FEED) for this critical Maltese infrastructure project
A connection request was launched with Terna S.p.A. They are the transmission system operators in Italy with whom this cable will be connecting
May
An application was submitted with the Planning Authority in Malta
June - July
The Environmental and Resources Authority carried out a public consultation on the project
Two call for tenders were issued in order to engage contracts to conduct the Environmental Impact Assessment in Malta and Sicily
August
Following award of PMRS tender to Fugro Italy S.p.A., the surveying activities were kicked-off
September
The FEED tender was awarded to a Joint Venture between CESI S.p.A and Techfem S.p.A and project teams met to start working on the design of the cable
October
Both EIA tenders were awarded. The Italian EIA was awarded to HPC ITALIA S.r.l. whilst the Maltese EIA was awarded to AIS Environment Ltd.
Q1
Complete all activities related to the PMRS
Make first submission of Italian and Maltese EIAs to the corresponding Competent Authorities
Q2
Closure of the Front End Engineering Design
Q1
Issue of development permits in boths countries
Launch of the Engineering, procurement and Construction Tender
Q3
Initiate the Works for the construction of the second Italy to Malta HVAC Cable
Q1
Start of Operations