Italy-Austria interconnector enters into operation

Italy and Austria have commissioned a new underground power line linking the two countries and enabling them to double their maximum exchange capacity to 300 MW.

Italian grid operator Terna SpA (BIT:TRN), which implemented the project, said on Friday that the overall investment stood at EUR 80 million (USD 87.4m).

The 220-kV underground connection stretches across 28 kilometres (17.4 miles) along the Italian-Austrian border. It links power substations in Glorenza, in the Italian province of Blozano, and in the city of Nauders in Austria. It will enable increased electricity exchanges between the two countries, transporting lower-cost electricity from abroad towards energy-intensive areas, while also facilitating the integration of further renewable energy capacity.

"The interconnection with Austria is a further and significant step forward for the development of an increasingly secure, efficient and interconnected European power grid," said Giuseppina Di Foggia, CEO and general manager of Terna.

As announced in May, Terna’s 10-year plan envisages the investment of some EUR 2 billion to improve and develop cross-border interconnections.

(EUR 1.0 = USD 1.092)

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