ITALY APPROVES THE INTERCONNECTOR PROJECT THAT WILL LINK MALTA TO THE EUROPEAN ELECTRICITY NETWORK

On March 28th 2013 Italy granted the final authorization to connect Maltese and Italian electricity networks.

After considering Enemalta’s request, the Italian Authorities endorsed the project in a spirit of cooperation and in accordance with Italian and European law.

A decree, co-signed by the Italian Ministry of Economic Development and the Italian Ministry of Environment, Land and Sea Protection, allows the construction of a submarine and underground cable, with up to 500MW capacity, from Ragusa to the limit of the Italian waters.

This infrastructure will improve the energy security of the beneficiary, providing participation to the European electricity market, thus strenghening diversification of energy sources and polluting emissions reduction.

While taking note of the gratitude expressed by the Maltese Ministry of Energy to the Italian Authorities and to the Italian Government for their collaboration, and acknowledging President Abela’s welcome of the permit, Ambassador De Vito emphasizes that the project is coherent with the European energy policy and facilitates the completion of the EU Internal Energy market and the energy interconnections between EU Member States (European Council of 14th-15th March 2013: “No EU Member State should remain isolated from the European gas and electricity networks after 2015”).