Rome assesses power link-up

Centro Elettrotecnico Sperimentale Italiano (CESI) has completed a feasibility study for a potential electricity connection linking Libya and Sicily, possibly via Malta.

It is the latest in a series

of power connections planned between North Africa

and Europe.

The most recent study puts forward several alternatives for the construction of the 500-kilometre-long link between Abu Kammash in Libya and Partanna in Sicily.

In one scenario, the line would have a capacity of 1,000 MW and cost Eur 700 million ($994 million). Alternatively, the capacity of the line could be decreased to 500 MW, reducing costs to Eur 350-370 million ($497-525 million). A detailed marine survey is being carried out to determine the route of the cable.

CESI has previously completed feasibility studies for a 240-kilometre, 2,000 MW submarine link between Hassi Ameur in Algeria and Almeria in Spain. It also carried out a study for a 500-1,000 MW link from El-Hadjar in Algeria to Cagliari in Italy via Sardinia. However, both projects are currently on hold (MEED 26:4:02).

Of all the proposed links between Europe and Africa, the most likely to go ahead is an interconnection between Tunisia and Sicily, planed by Rome and Tunis. It will involve the construction of a 1,200 MW power plant at El-Haouaria in the north-east of Tunisia, with 800 MW of power to be exported to Sicily (MEED 21:9:07).

'This is the most credible at the moment,' says a senior industry source. 'The interconnection between Libya and Italy is much longer than between Tunisia and Sicily.'

The maximum depth of sea for the cable between Tunisia and Sicily is 600 metres, which would also make it technically easier than the other projects. By comparison, three possible routes have been proposed for the Algeria-Spain link, the deepest of which would reach a maximum depth of 1,900 metres of water.

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