Terna is ready to double the interconnection with Greece: this is what will connect Grita 2

Terna is ready to double the electricity interconnection between Italy and Greece, in operation since 2002. The company led by Giuseppina Di Foggia has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with its Greek counterpart, Ipto, as part of the intergovernmental summit between the two countries and with the blessing of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, regulating the conditions for the construction of the new submarine link that will help achieve decarbonisation objectives and strengthen the two countries' role as Mediterranean electricity hubs.

But what features will the new interconnection have? The infrastructure, with a capacity of up to 1,000 megawatts and a total length of about 300 kilometres, 240 of which will be in submarine cable with a maximum depth of about 1,000 metres, will flank the existing 500-megawatt link. Terna and Ipto expect a total investment of about EUR 1.9 billion.

On the Italian side of the project, the submarine cable will land in the municipality of Melendugno and the new converter station will be built in the municipality of Galatina, both in the province of Lecce. The three-year agreement provides for joint project governance that will define the overall strategy and coordination of activities. In addition, Terna and Ipto will sign subsequent agreements to regulate the coordinated management of the tender phases and the procurement of cables and converter stations, as well as the subsequent construction of the infrastructure. The Grita 2 is aiming for European assistance: the new link has been nominated for the second list of projects of common interest.

"The new submarine electricity link between Italy and Greece will increase the security of the entire southern part of the country and promote efficient energy supplies. The interconnection, which will flank the existing one, in operation since 2002, will ensure greater efficiency in the energy transmission service," explained Terna's CEO. "We are convinced that an interconnected European electricity system is the key to a reliable and sustainable grid.

"Electricity interconnection plays a crucial role in achieving the European Union's climate targets and in the transition towards a clean energy system. The new energy corridor between Greece and Italy will not only increase electricity trading capacity," emphasised Manos Manousakis, Ipto's Chairman and CEO, "but will also contribute to strengthening energy security and improving the efficiency of the integrated European electricity market, generating tangible benefits for consumers in both countries. Ipto and Terna, thanks to their long-standing cooperation and deep technical expertise, are fully capable of successfully completing this strategic infrastructure project'.