Terna, the Italian national grid operator, has signed a three-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) with IPTO, the Greek Transmission System Operator (TSO), to develop a new electrical interconnection between the two countries, known as the GRITA 2 project.
The agreement, signed in Rome during the Italy-Greece Intergovernmental Summit, sets the stage for a high-voltage direct current (HVDC) link between the countries. It will also augment existing assets and facilitate future network expansions.
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The MOU outlines a joint governance framework to strategise and coordinate project activities.
The estimated investment by Terna and IPTO for this venture stands at €1.9bn.
With a transmission capacity of up to 1GW, the link will span roughly 300km, including a subsea section extending up to 240km at depths reaching 1km.
This initiative will bolster the existing 500MW connection that has been in operation since 2002. The connection will enhance energy security and support decarbonisation efforts in the Mediterranean region.
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By GlobalDataThe Italian terminus of the subsea cable will be located in Melendugno, with a new converter station planned for Galatina, both within the province of Lecce.
Terna CEO and general manager Giuseppina Di Foggia said: “The new submarine power link between Italy and Greece will enhance energy security in southern Italy and facilitate efficient energy procurement by enabling new resources and maintaining energy exchange between the two countries. Operating alongside the existing interconnection, which has been in service since 2002, this project will further increase the efficiency of electricity transmission.”
Future agreements will cover the joint management of procurement for the cable and converter station, as well as the overall implementation of the project.
The GRITA 2 project is already part of the European TSOs’ ten-year network development plan for 2024 and has been proposed for inclusion in the second list of Projects of Common Interest/Projects of Mutual Interest.
IPTO chairman and CEO Manos Manousakis said: “Electrical interconnectivity plays a vital role in advancing Europe’s climate goals and clean energy transition. The new energy corridor between Greece and Italy will not only expand the capacity for electricity exchange but also bolster energy security and enhance the efficiency of the integrated European electricity market, delivering tangible benefits to consumers in both nations.”
