Terna, Adriatic Link: contract awarded to Prysmian for the supply of submarine power cables

TERNA, ADRIATIC LINK: CONTRACT AWARDED TO PRYSMIAN

FOR THE SUPPLY OF SUBMARINE POWER CABLES

The electrical infrastructure, totalling 250 km in length, with 210 km under the sea, will

strengthen Italy's role as the Mediterranean energy hub

Terna will invest approximately €1.3 billion: the project will enhance the integration of

renewable sources and the energy transition

Rome, 7 September 2023 - Terna, the Italian transmission grid operator led by Giuseppina Di Foggia, has awarded Prysmian, a leading supplier in the energy and telecom cable systems industry, the contract for the supply and laying of submarine and underground power cables of the Adriatic Link, the 1,000 MW HVDC (high-voltage direct current) connection between the Abruzzo and Marche regions. The infrastructure is approximately 250 km long, with 210 km under the sea.

The cable supply is another milestone in the rapid implementation of the project, for which Terna has planned an overall investment of approximately €1.3 billion.

"The Adriatic Link holds strategic importance for the integration of renewable sources, thus contributing to the decarbonisation of the Italian energy system. The undersea connection also allows for the creation of a highly sustainable electrical infrastructure with minimal impact on the environment", says Giacomo Donnini, Terna's International Development Director.

In particular, the new infrastructure will increase the exchange capacity between the Central- Southern and the Central-Northern regions of the country by approximately 1,000 MW, enhancing the overall security, efficiency and resilience of the national electrical transmission grid. The Adriatic Link will therefore play a major role in the development, integration and transfer of energy generated by numerous wind and solar installations in Southern Italy to the energy-intensive hubs of the North, reinforcing the role of Italy as the electricity hub in Europe and across the entire Mediterranean region.

The electrical connection is a cutting-edge technological and environmental project. The 'invisible' power line will consist of two XLPE (extruded cross-linked polyethylene insulation) submarine cables of approximately 210 km each and two underground cables of approximately 40 km. The conversion stations will be located near the existing electrical substations of Cepagatti (province of Pescara), for Abruzzo, and Fano (province of Pesaro-Urbino) for the Marche region, with minimal impact on the surrounding area.

The undersea cable will be laid at a maximum depth of 100 metres. Horizontal directional drilling will be used for landing points, allowing for the installation of conduits while minimizing environmental and social impacts on the coastline and ensuring the preservation of the electrical connection in the event of coastal erosion. Similarly, existing road infrastructure will be primarily used for the land route

of the cable. As part of the marine survey, which certified the suitability of the seabed for the project, approximately 700 km² of the Adriatic Sea were inspected.

The project will come online in accordance with Terna's 10-year Development Plan.