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.
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 interconnector 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]
^ Sansone, Kurt (2010-12-15). "Malta signs €182 million interconnector contract". Times of Malta. Retrieved 2012-02-12.
^ ab "Nexans wins contract for the Malta to Sicily power-interconnector project" (Press release). Nexans. 2010-12-15. Retrieved 2012-02-12.
^ Micallef, Mark (2011-11-20). "Power setback as energy link to Sicily is delayed". Times of Malta. Retrieved 2012-02-12.
^ Debono, James (2009-11-22). "Sicily cable 'essential' to close down Marsa power station". Malta Today. Retrieved 2012-02-12.
^ "Nexans Norway to lay Malta-Sicily undersea power cable". Reuters. 2010-12-14. Retrieved 2012-02-12.
^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
^ "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.
External links
Track of Malta–Sicily interconnector on Sicily
February 08, 2023
malta, sicily, interconnector, submarine, power, cable, which, connects, power, grid, malta, with, italian, transmission, network, managed, terna, which, part, european, grid, ragusa, substation, locationcountrymaltaitalygeneral, directionnorth, south, northfr. 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 interconnectorRagusa s substation LocationCountryMaltaItalyGeneral directionnorth south northFromMagħtab Naxxar in MaltaPasses throughMalta ChannelToRagusa in Sicily ItalyOwnership informationOwnerEnemaltaConstruction informationManufacturer of conductor cableNexansCable layerC S Nexans SkagerrakConstruction cost 182 millionCommissioned2015Technical informationTypeSubmarine cableunderground cableType of currentHVACTotal length120 km 75 mi Power rating200 MWAC voltage220 kV Contents 1 Technical characteristics 2 Economic impact 3 Problems 4 Sites 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksTechnical characteristics EditThe 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 interconnector became operational in March 2015 The project cost 182 million 5 Economic impact EditThe 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 EditIn 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 EditSite CoordinatesSubstation of Ragusa 36 52 47 N 14 40 53 E 36 87972 N 14 68139 E 36 87972 14 68139 Stazione elettrica di Ragusa Italian submarinecable terminal Marina di Ragusa 36 46 48 N 14 34 10 E 36 78000 N 14 56944 E 36 78000 14 56944 Camera di giunzione di Marina di Ragusa Maltese submarinecable terminal Qalet Marku 35 56 36 N 14 26 59 E 35 94333 N 14 44972 E 35 94333 14 44972 Qalet Marku Substation in Magħtab in project 35 56 19 N 14 26 17 E 35 93861 N 14 43806 E 35 93861 14 43806 Stazione elettrica di Maghtab in progetto The bay of Qalet Marku Maltese terminal of the submarine cable See also EditEnergy in Malta Energy in Italy List of high voltage underground and submarine cablesReferences Edit Sansone Kurt 2010 12 15 Malta signs 182 million interconnector contract Times of Malta Retrieved 2012 02 12 a b Nexans wins contract for the Malta to Sicily power interconnector project Press release Nexans 2010 12 15 Retrieved 2012 02 12 Micallef Mark 2011 11 20 Power setback as energy link to Sicily is delayed Times of Malta Retrieved 2012 02 12 Debono James 2009 11 22 Sicily cable essential to close down Marsa power station Malta Today Retrieved 2012 02 12 Nexans Norway to lay Malta Sicily undersea power cable Reuters 2010 12 14 Retrieved 2012 02 12 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 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 External links EditTrack of Malta Sicily interconnector on Sicily Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Malta Sicily interconnector amp oldid 1132331700, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
