Italy and Tunisia have taken a significant step towards enhancing their energy cooperation with the signing of the Elmed energy link project [1]. This ambitious initiative aims to connect the electricity grids of the two countries through a 200-kilometer high-voltage direct current (HVDC) submarine cable.
The Elmed project, with a total cost of €920 million, is co-financed by the European Investment Bank (EIB), Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW), and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), which has committed €45 million to support the project. The European Union has also contributed a €307.6 million grant through its Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).
The Elmed energy link is expected to be completed by 2028 and will have a capacity of 600 MW. This project will not only integrate the electricity grids of Italy and Tunisia but also boost renewable energy development in Tunisia and enable electricity trade between the two countries.
The collaboration between Italy’s Terna and Tunisia’s Société Tunisienne de l’Electricité et du Gaz (STEG) underscores the strategic importance of the project for both nations. The Elmed link will contribute to energy security, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and support economic growth in the region.
Sources:
[1] Italy and Tunisia strengthen ties with the Elmed energy link