(ANSA) - ROME, DECEMBER 08 - The Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security has launched the authorization procedure for Terna's new electricity interconnection between Italy and Tunisia, the 600 MW submarine energy bridge with continuous current that will connect Europe and Africa.
An investment of around 850 million euro is expected for the project, which has been included in the list of Projects of Common Interest (PCI) in accordance with EU Regulation 347/2013 - explains a note from Terna.
Of these, 307 million euros will be financed through the Connecting Europe Facility ("CEF"), the European Union fund intended for the development of key projects that aim to upgrade the Community's energy infrastructure.
"It is a historic decision. For the first time, in fact, the CEF Community funds have been assigned to an infrastructural work developed by a Member State and a Third State".
The work, carried out by Terna and STEG, the Tunisian electricity operator, will contribute to the integration of the electricity markets, to the security of the energy supply and, above all, to the increase in the production of energy from renewable sources in Europe and Africa and to the diversification of the sources.
In addition, once operational, the connection will help reduce climate-altering emissions.
"Thanks to this work, Italy will actually be able to become an energy hub in the Mediterranean", said Stefano Donnarumma, Terna's CEO.
"It is a strategic infrastructure for our country and for Europe, which can contribute significantly to energy independence, the security of the electricity system and the development of renewable sources. We are very satisfied with the funding from the European Commission - the first ever awarded to an intercontinental project - which recognized the strategic value of our project", added Donnarumma.
(HANDLE).