- The project would receive approximately €850 million in investments from the European Commission and enable renewable energy development.
- The Italian Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security launched the authorisation procedure in 2022.
Terna, Italian Electricity Grid Operator, and Steg, Tunisian Electricity and Gas Operator, have signed a €307 million grant agreement with the European Commission to support “Elmed”, the invisible interconnection between Italy and Tunisia, which holds strategic significance for both countries and the broader European energy landscape.
The project, which will form the electricity bridge between Europe and North Africa, is set to receive investments of approximately €850 million. The European Commission has allocated €307 million out of the €850 million through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), the European Union (EU) fund established to support major projects that aim to optimise energy infrastructure in the EU. The approval process launched by the Italian Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security in late 2022 is the first time CEF funds are allocated to an infrastructure project developed by a Member State and a Third Country.
Terna’s Chief Executive Officer, Giuseppina Di Foggia, noted, “The signing of the Grant Agreement marks yet another step towards developing a strategic project for the electricity systems of the two countries and of Europe as a whole. Elmed will enable the development of renewable energy and, at the same time, deliver economic and industrial benefits, attracting investment and creating new jobs.” The Italy-Tunisia Interconnection, part of the Elmed project, will facilitate renewable energy development, enhance energy procurement security, integrate electricity markets, and contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in alignment with national and international energy and climate targets. The power line, spanning approximately 220 km, will connect the electrical substations of Partanna in Italy and Mlaabi in Tunisia, with a capacity of 600 MW and a focus on optimising energy infrastructure.