Elmed Project: A New Era in Euro-Mediterranean Energy Exchange
A contract worth approximately €770 million has been awarded to Hitachi Energy to build the conversion stations for the Elmed project, the first direct electrical interconnection between Tunisia and Italy. This milestone marks a significant turning point: the procurement process is now complete for this strategic underwater cable linking Europe and North Africa.
Project Overview
The project is being jointly developed by Terna, the Italian electricity grid operator led by Pasqualino Monti, and STEG. It involves a state-of-the-art HVDC (high-voltage direct current) infrastructure designed to transport up to 600 MW over a distance of approximately 220 km, mostly under the Mediterranean Sea, with depths reaching up to 800 meters in the Strait of Sicily.
Construction and Implementation
Two conversion stations will be built: one in Partanna, Sicily, and the other in Mlaabi (Menzel Temime region) in Tunisia. The construction will be carried out with the participation of D'Agostino Costruzioni Generali SpA on the Italian side and Orascom Construction SAE on the Tunisian side, particularly for the civil engineering works and technical installations.
Broader Strategy and Implications
Beyond the infrastructure, the Elmed project is part of a much broader strategy: strengthening Euro-Mediterranean energy exchanges and accelerating the integration of electricity grids. The project is seen as a key lever to facilitate the absorption of renewable energies and secure supplies in the context of global energy transition.
Financial Aspects
The total cost of the interconnection project is estimated at €1.42 billion, with €307 million financed by the European Commission through the mechanism for interconnection in Europe, managed by CINEA. This is a first: the European Union is financing an infrastructure that directly connects a member state to a third country. The project also benefits from the support of institutions such as the World Bank, the European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and KfW, enhancing its geopolitical and energy weight.
