The first interconnector between Italy and Malta has returned to operation after it was shut down due to work on the second interconnector that will connect the two countries.
As announced on March 28, the scheduled intervention required the temporary suspension of IC1 to allow for the safe rerouting of control cables in preparation for the foundations of a new 220 kV hybrid switchgear, vital for the integration of IC2, providing the necessary infrastructure to connect spare shunt reactors and enhance the resilience of both interconnectors.
It was reported yesterday, April 1, that IC1 had been re-energized and restored to service following the completion of essential technical interventions at the Ragusa Terminal Station in Sicily.
According to government-owned InterConnect Malta, the works were carried out whilst maintaining full national electricity stability.
Nexans delivered the first Malta-Italy interconnector in 2015. The second one will consist of a new ~122-kilometer-long 225 MW HVAC electrical cable interconnection between the Terna substation at Ragusa, Sicily, and the Enemalta terminal station in Maghtab, to be laid in parallel to the existing link .
Following the completion of the detailed marine route survey carried out by Italy’s Next Geosolutions (NextGeo) , the IC2 interconnector entered the identification and clearance phase which will ensure the seabed along the 99-kilometer subsea cable route is free from potential unexploded ordnance (UXO) and other obstacles.