From a technical standpoint, the infrastructure consists of two 500 kV high-voltage direct current (HVDC) subsea cables, totaling approximately 970 km in length, with a transmission capacity of 1,000 MW. Specifically, the laying of the first connection of the western section will be carried out by Nexans in two phases: the first, 200 km long, will be completed in September 2025; the second, around 280 km, will begin in December 2025.
The connection between Sicily and Sardinia, approved in September 2023 by the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security, will stretch for 480 km between the Fiumetorto landing point (PA) and the Terra Mala landing point (CA). The converter stations will be built in Selargius (CA) – from which an underground cable of approximately 30 km will run to the coastal landing — and in Contrada Caracoli, in the municipality of Termini Imerese (PA), connected to the marine landing point via a roughly 7 km underground route.
In addition to its strategic and technological value, Tyrrhenian Link stands out for its focus on environmental sustainability. In both islands involved in the project, activities have been launched to uproot and replant olive trees located in the areas designated for future converter stations. Moreover, Terna has undertaken measures to protect marine ecosystems at the cable landing points, carrying out transplantation of Posidonia oceanica in Sardinia and Cymodocea nodosa in Sicily, selecting the most suitable areas to promote plant rooting.
Thanks to its transmission capacity, the project will make a significant contribution to achieving the decarbonization targets set out in Italy’s Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan. The high-voltage subsea cable, essential for the security of both the Italian and European electricity grids, will connect the three regions involved, increase exchange capacity, and enhance the capacity and flexibility of the national transmission grid.