Tunisia and Italy Build 600 MW Power Link
A new high-voltage submarine cable will connect Tunisia to Sicily to boost renewable energy integration.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Data Centers
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The European Investment Bank is financing a 600 MW high-voltage direct current (HVDC) power interconnection linking Tunisia and Italy. This project establishes a 224 km subsea connection between the Cap Bon peninsula and Sicily to facilitate cross-border electricity trade.
Why it matters
The link aims to improve the resilience of the Tunisian power grid and support the deployment of renewable energy across both regions. In the long term, the infrastructure is expected to enable Tunisia to export renewable electricity directly to European markets.
The system utilizes an HVDC link with a 600 MW nominal capacity operating at 500 kV DC. The infrastructure spans a 224 km route, featuring 200 km of offshore cable implemented as a monopole with sea return.
The players
European Investment Bank
This is the lending arm of the European Union, which supports capital investment projects that further EU policy objectives.
European Commission
This executive branch of the European Union is responsible for proposing legislation and managing the administrative operations of the union.
The details
Designated as a Project of Common Interest by the European Commission, the cable creates a physical bridge between the power systems of Tunisia and Italy. The project seeks to modernize grid reliability while providing a pathway for international renewable energy exchange.
Timeline
October 20, 2026: The interconnection project was confirmed in current reports.
The Tech Race
This project aligns with the European Commission's Projects of Common Interest framework, which streamlines cross-border energy infrastructure development. It marks a significant shift in regional grid stability, replacing fragmented regional supply with a unified transnational corridor.
The integration of this link will eventually facilitate cleaner energy access for consumers and stabilize grid loads across the Mediterranean. Users may benefit from increased reliability and lower energy costs as renewable energy flows more freely across borders.
The takeaway
The project represents a strategic move toward regional energy autonomy by linking power grids across the Mediterranean Sea. Readers should note that such large-scale interconnections are essential to scaling renewable energy beyond national boundaries.
Further reading
For more information on grid infrastructure and energy storage, visit the Data Centers section.
More information
View the official European Investment Bank project details for technical specifications.
Source note: This article includes information reported by EIB.
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