Malta–Sicily interconnector

The Malta–Sicily interconnector is the submarine power cable which connects the power grid of Malta with the Italian Transmission Network managed by Terna, which is part of the European grid.

Malta–Sicily interconnector
Ragusa's substation.
Location
CountryMalta
Italy
General directionnorth-south-north
FromMagħtab, Naxxar in Malta
Passes throughMalta Channel
ToRagusa in Sicily, Italy
Ownership information
OwnerEnemalta
Construction information
Manufacturer of conductor/cableNexans
Cable layerC/S Nexans Skagerrak
Construction cost€182 million
Commissioned2015
Technical information
TypeSubmarine cable
underground cable
Type of currentHVAC
Total length120 km (75 mi)
Power rating200 MW
AC voltage220 kV

Technical characteristics

The 95-kilometre (59 mi) long subsea cable starts at Magħtab, Qalet Marku in Malta and it runs to Marina di Ragusa in Sicily, Italy. [1] From there it is connected to the Ragusa substation, which is of the Italian TSO Terna, via a 25 kilometres (16 mi) underground cable.[2]

The cable and 132/220 kV substation in Malta is provided by Nexans. The cable has capacity of 200 MW and it uses 220 kV high voltage alternating current. The interconnector is operated by Enemalta, the Maltese power company.[3][4] In the 2014 the cable was laid in the sea by the ship C/S Nexans Skagerrak of the Company Nexans.[2] The interconector became operational in March 2015. The project cost €182 million.[5]

Economic impact

The cable allows Malta to exchange electricity with the Italian power market, i.e. the island can both import and export electricity from Italy through the interconnector. The creation of this subsea cable ended Malta's previous electricity's isolation and diversified its mix of energy sources. In February 2015, European Commission underlined that Malta's interconnection level would go from 0% to approximately 35% with the new interconnector.[6]

Problems

In December 2019 power outages in Malta were being caused by a failure of the interconnector cable having been damaged by a ship's anchor. In 2019 the interconnector supplied 23.1% of generated power.[7]

Sites
Site Coordinates
Substation of Ragusa36°52′47″N 14°40′53″E
Italian submarinecable terminal, Marina di Ragusa36°46′48″N 14°34′10″E
Maltese submarinecable terminal, Qalet Marku35°56′36″N 14°26′59″E
Substation in Magħtab (in project)35°56′19″N 14°26′17″E
The bay of Qalet Marku, Maltese terminal of the submarine cable.
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See also

References
  1. Sansone, Kurt (2010-12-15). "Malta signs €182 million interconnector contract". Times of Malta. Retrieved 2012-02-12.
  2. "Nexans wins contract for the Malta to Sicily power-interconnector project" (Press release). Nexans. 2010-12-15. Retrieved 2012-02-12.
  3. Micallef, Mark (2011-11-20). "Power setback as energy link to Sicily is delayed". Times of Malta. Retrieved 2012-02-12.
  4. Debono, James (2009-11-22). "Sicily cable 'essential' to close down Marsa power station". Malta Today. Retrieved 2012-02-12.
  5. "Nexans Norway to lay Malta-Sicily undersea power cable". Reuters. 2010-12-14. Retrieved 2012-02-12.
  6. COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL - Achieving the 10% electricity interconnection target - Making Europe's electricity grid fit for 2020. Brussels, 25.2.2015 COM(2015) 82 final
  7. "How could a ship's anchor take out a key source of Malta's power?" (Press release). Times of Malta. 2000-01-01. Retrieved 2020-01-01.
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