Tyrrhenian Link: Terna completes the laying of the eastern branch of the submarine cable. This is what it will look like

Terna completes the laying of the first submarine cable of the eastern branch of the Tyrrhenian Link, the power line that will connect Sicily to Campania and Sardinia and represents one of the most important projects in the world for the transmission of electricity under the sea. The group led by Giuseppina Di Foggia has therefore completed the first part of the project, i.e. the approximately 490 kilometres that run from Fiumetorto, in the Palermo municipality of Termini Imerese, to Torre Tuscia Magazzeno, in the municipality of Battipaglia, in the province of Salerno.

The laying, which was carried out with Prysmian's Leonardo Da Vinci, took place in two phases: the first, 260 km long, was completed in March, while the second, 230 km long, started in April. In 2021 the company, which is headed by Massimo Battaini, was awarded the framework contract for the design, supply, installation and testing of more than 1,500 km of cables.

"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 in the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan. Large marine infrastructures represent the company's sustainable response to the constant growth in demand for energy, through innovative, effective and low environmental impact solutions. The eastern section of the Tyrrhenian Link is the longest submarine link ever built by Terna, with approximately 490 km of direct current cable at a maximum depth of 1,560 metres. Also thanks to Prysmian's support, we can confirm that this section of the project will come into operation in 2026,' explained Terna's managing director, Giuseppina Di Foggia.

"Prysmian is at the heart of Italy's and Europe's energy and digital transformation. We are proud to partner once again with Terna in this ambitious project that strengthens Italy's electricity infrastructure and promotes the energy transition. With the Tyrrhenian Link, one of the longest interconnections in the world, and our cable-laying ship Leonardo da Vinci, we have reached new technological and operational milestones, setting new world standards (record installation at a depth of 2150 metres). We are committed every day to ensuring safer and more sustainable power grids by constantly investing in innovation, sustainability and production capacity,' emphasised Raul Gil, executive vice president of Prysmian's Transmission business unit.

For the project, Terna received EUR 500 million in funding under the RepowerEU programme. While the entire project involves a total investment of EUR 3.7 billion. The infrastructure comprises two 500 kilovolt direct current connections: the east branch between Campania and Sicily, the laying of which, as mentioned, has just been completed, and the west branch between Sicily and Sardinia. The power line will extend over approximately 970 km of marine cable route, with a transport capacity of one thousand megawatts for each section. The completion deadline is scheduled for 2028.