Italian power transmission network operator Terna and its French counterpart RTE have started work on the Italian side of the new "Piedmont-Savoy" interconnection line between the two countries (Piossasco - Grand'Ile). With 190 km of DC extra-high voltage underground cable - the longest connection in the world of this type - this strategic European infrastructure will increase the safety of supplies and trading capacity between the two countries up to 1,200 MW.
The new "Piedmont-Savoy" electricity connection is part of a bilateral energy cooperation sanctioned by the 2007 Nice agreements: In addition to the new power line, which will have a maximum capacity of 1,200 MW and will be commissioned in 2019, the agreements also provide for the upgrading of the existing grid, which is currently under way, on the "Cornier (F)-Montagny (F)-Albertville (F)-LaPraz (F)-Villarodin (F)-Venaus (I)-Piossasco ( I)" line, for an additional 600 MW. Overall, the collaboration between Terna and RTE will bring the transmission capacity of the grid between the two countries from today's 2,650 MW (based on the 2007 Nice Agreements) to over 4,400 MW, with an increase of over 60%.
The total investment for upgrading the electricity border between Italy and France (optimization of the existing grid and creation of the new interconnection line), totals €1.4bn, of which around €800m for the Italian side and €600m for the French side, along with €60m of expenses which Terna has already incurred to rebuild the Piossasco station.
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