The Interconnector Italia S.C.p.A. consortium and the Terna Group have signed a €415m deal to construct (EPC) and operate (O&M) the private part of the 320 kV DC Italy-France interconnector line project, which is expected to increase the electricity trading capacity between France and Italy by 40% upon completion.
Once commissioned, the 190-km underground line will have a cross-border exchange capacity of 1,200 MW. It is expected to come onstream in 2020 (end of 2019 is also envisaged) and has also been identified by the European Commission as a Project of Common Interest (PCI).
Under the framework of the deal, Interconnector Italia has purchased Piemonte Savoia (PI.SA.), which was earlier controlled by the Terna Group through Terna Interconnector S.r.I. PI.SA has exemptions right for third-party access (TPA) for up to 350 MW capacity over 10 years on behalf of the Italy-France Interconnector.