Work on Malta's Second Electricity Interconnector (IC2) is advancing across several fronts in Sicily, as the project moves towards the installation of the submarine cable linking Malta to the Italian mainland. A major milestone has already been reached with the completion of manufacturing of the submarine cable by Nexans, the contractor responsible for its manufacture and installation.
During a site visit to Ragusa with Energy Minister Miriam Dalli, journalists were briefed on progress by Interconnect Malta and the contractors responsible for delivering the project. The latest developments include preparations for a major underground drilling operation at the cable landing point, the near-completion of the underground high-voltage cable route, and ongoing upgrades to Italy's transmission infrastructure.
The visit followed the temporary shutdown of Malta's first electricity interconnector, IC1, to facilitate a critical phase of works at Ragusa Terminal Station and associated infrastructure linked to IC2. The shutdown formed part of a coordinated programme involving Interconnect Malta, Enemalta, Italian transmission operator Terna and the project's contractors.
The cable is expected to be loaded out from Nexans' manufacturing facility in Charleston in December, with offshore cable-laying operations scheduled to begin thereafter.
HDD tunnel to connect offshore and onshore cables
One of the most technically challenging activities remaining on the project is the planned Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) operation near the Porto Turistico in Ragusa, close to the area where Ragusa Xpress operates.
The operation involves constructing a tunnel approximately 300 metres long, with a bore diameter of 800 millimetres. The tunnel will allow the submarine cable to transition from the seabed to the onshore infrastructure while minimising disruption to the coastal environment.
Completion of the HDD works, considered a critical activity in the remaining project schedule, will also enable the final section of the underground land cable route to be installed, creating the link between the submarine cable and Sicily's terrestrial network.
Land cable route 92% complete
Progress on the Sicilian land cable route is approaching completion, with contractor SELT S.p.A. confirming that approximately 92% of the 21-kilometre underground high-voltage cable has been installed.
Only around 1.7 kilometres remain. This final section is scheduled to be completed after the HDD tunnel works, allowing the submarine and land cable systems to be connected.
The installation programme has also advanced at the cable jointing stage. Of the 21 joint bays constructed along the route, high-voltage cable jointing remains outstanding at just six locations.
The progress reflects the scale of the installation work required to connect the offshore infrastructure to the wider electricity transmission network, with the remaining activities dependent in part on the completion of the coastal drilling works, journalists were told.
Major upgrades underway at Ragusa Terminal Station
At Ragusa Terminal Station, Terna Energy Solutions is carrying out infrastructure works required to integrate IC2 into Italy's electricity transmission network.
Current activities include constructing foundations for the new hybrid gas-insulated switchgear disconnectors, installing cable trenches connecting the switchgear to the newly installed 220-kilovolt shunt reactor, and building additional fire-protection walls.
These works form part of the wider infrastructure upgrades needed to accommodate the second interconnector and prepare the terminal station for its eventual integration into the transmission system.
The simultaneous progress across the cable route, coastal landing point and terminal station highlights the coordination required between contractors and network operators in Malta and Italy.
"The progress achieved across the various work fronts demonstrates the scale and complexity of this strategically important project," Dalli said.
She added that the HDD works, the near-completion of the land cable route and the upgrades at Ragusa Terminal Station represented significant milestones as the project approached its final implementation phases.
Doubling Malta's interconnection capacity
IC2 is a central component of Malta's long-term energy infrastructure programme and falls under the Energy, Climate and Environmental Transformation pillar of Malta's Vision 2050.
Once commissioned, the second interconnector will double Malta's electricity interconnection capacity with continental Europe, strengthening security of supply and giving the national electricity system greater operational flexibility.
The additional capacity is also expected to support the integration of renewable energy and contribute to Malta's decarbonisation objectives, while helping the country respond to rising electricity demand and evolving energy requirements.
Enemalta Executive Chairperson Ryan Fava said projects such as IC2 were essential as electricity demand grows and the energy landscape changes.
He said the additional flexibility, resilience and capacity would help support future economic growth, facilitate greater renewable energy integration and maintain a secure and reliable electricity supply for the Maltese Islands.
Interconnect Malta Chairperson Godwin Agius highlighted the extensive coordination required between international contractors, network operators and technical specialists.
He said the milestones reflected years of planning, permitting, stakeholder engagement and technical development, alongside contributions from European financing institutions, government and regulatory authorities, diplomatic stakeholders, contractors and project teams in both countries.
IC2 is co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), supporting Malta's efforts to develop a more resilient and sustainable energy system.
Katrina Cassar was reporting from Ragusa