Enemalta plc is inviting interested parties to submit proposals for the commercial operation of the fibre optic cable forming part of the Malta-Sicily Interconnector.
This call for expressions of interest will assess the willingness and ability of business organisations to enter into long-term collaborations with Enemalta for the commercialisation of some of the optical fibres installed between Malta and Sicily within the Interconnector cables linking Malta's electricity distribution network to the European grid. Proposals are to be submitted to Enemalta by Friday 27th February 2015, at midday. The document with details about this call can be requested online through the Company website www.enemalta.com.mt/powerfibrelink.
The Malta-Sicily Interconnector comprises a 120-kilometre high voltage alternating current (HVAC) system capable of bidirectional flow of electrical power, transferring 200MW of electricity. In Sicily, the Interconnector is linked to the Italian network at 230kV in the Terna substation in Ragusa. The submarine cable lands in Malta at Qalet Marku, Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq and transmits electricity to the distribution network at 132kV through Enemalta's new terminal station at Magħtab.
Besides the electricity copper power cables, the submarine cable between the two islands also includes two fibre optic clusters. Enemalta will use part of this capacity to transmit the data required in the operation of the Interconnector's monitoring, protection and control systems. The remaining fibres are being made available to interested parties for commercial operation in partnership with Enemalta.
The fibre optic clusters are embedded within the armoured submarine cable, providing them with additional safeguards and reinforcement to ensure safety and reliability. Moreover, throughout the entire route between Malta and Sicily, the submarine cable is buried in a trench beneath the seabed. In areas where the seabed was too hard to trench or where digging was not allowed due to environmental concerns, the cable is covered with a rock berm or enclosed within strong cast iron shells. On land in Sicily, the fibre optic cable has been installed in an HDPE pipe along the power cable route in a trench in secondary roads.
Ing. Fredrick Azzopardi, Enemalta Executive Chairman, explains that the availability of the fibre optic clusters within the Malta-Sicily Interconnector represents a new major data link between Malta and other countries in Europe and beyond. "This is a unique opportunity for local businesses to extend their existing operations or for other international companies to launch new ventures based in the Maltese Islands. We are inviting them to come forward with creative and flexible solutions that would be viable to them and cost-effective to Enemalta."
Further details about this call for expressions of interest and the Malta-Sicily Interconnector are available on www.enemalta.com.mt.