The Maltese Government and the Norwegian company Nexans AS have signed a contract for the manufacturing and installation of the subsea cable for the second interconnector project, the government has announced.
The second interconnector project, with a total value of around €300 million, is a co-financed project by the European Union and is considered a project of strategic importance, by the EU itself.
The contract is one of six major tenders related to this project and covers the manufacturing and installation of the 245kV submarine cable between Malta and Sicily. The subsea cable is 99km long. The contract was signed by Adrian Dalli, Director General from the Department of Contracts and Yvan Duperray, Vice President Marketing and Sales from Nexans.
Energy Minister Miriam Dalli spoke at the event and said that Malta's vision as a modern country is for the people to achieve their aspirations and for the country to remain attractive to investment. She said that the direction the government wants to take is a direction of quality, but that to achieve that it requires investment in critical infrastructure which will prepare the country for what is to come in an ever-changing world.
She remarked that investment in the energy sector can never cease, and that this project in particular is part of a plan built on a number of other projects which will see Malta progress in its environmental transition. She commented that the government needs to ensure that Malta keeps up with the economic demand and caters to the people's quality of life, as well as continuing to invest in decarbonisation, in part by producing cleaner energy.
This second interconnector project, she remarked, will strengthen the country's connectivity and also facilitate the transition towards a carbon-neutral economy by facilitating the import of more renewable energy. She continued that Malta will be able to increase its capacity for renewable energy while also increasing stability in the Maltese energy network.
Speaking on the matter of climate change, Dalli said that this is a subject which requires action, and that the interconnector project is an example of concrete action being taken. She added that the second interconnector will provide peace of mind as the country's energy security is strengthened through such decisions.
The Energy Minister commented that there is always substantial interest from players in the energy sector when public calls such as this are made, adding that this includes interest from internationally renowned companies.
She continued that the second interconnector will be enacted in a shorter time than the first, taking an estimated three years less. She commented that this shows that Malta has learned from the first experience and "also shows the government's determination to enact what it promises.
Godwin Agius, Chairperson of the Interconnect Malta Board, said that this is an important day for the country's energy sector, as this project will strengthen Malta's energy provision while also establishing a road for greater renewable energy. He said that €165 million for the project is being funded through European funds.
He said that the second interconnector will ensure that the probability of a common mode failure is reduced, and that the two interconnectors are near each other so that they can work in parallel and benefit from the stability of the European grid.
Yvan Duperray, a representative of Nexans AS, said that the company's collaboration with Enemalta is special to the company as they worked together nearly a decade ago to "achieve a major milestone with the first Malta-Sicily interconnector".