Terna: 65 million euro to develop renewables in Sardinia

The authorization process has begun for the new project targeting

summer demand and decarbonisation

TERNA: € 65 MILLION TO DEVELOP

RENEWABLES IN SARDINIA

The 'Santa Teresa-Tempio-Buddusò' power line will increase the efficiency, safety,

sustainability and resilience of the entire energy system on the island

30 companies and 120 workers and technicians are involved in the works

for the construction of the infrastructure

With the Tyrrhenian Link and the Sa.Co.I. 3, Sardinia will play a strategic role

as an electricity hub for Europe and the Mediterranean

Rome, 12 April 2021 - The authorization process has begun for the 'Santa Teresa-Tempio- Buddusò' power line, the new infrastructure in the north of Sardinia. Terna, the company that manages the national transmission grid, will invest € 65 million to build the high voltage line in the Gallura area, in the Province of Sassari. This is a strategic project for the Italian electricity system, which will allow for the modernisation the island grid to lay the ground work for the expected development of renewable sources, specifically with regard to wind and photovoltaic power, and therefore for energy decarbonisation. Approximately 30 companies, direct and satellite, and 120 workers and specialist technicians will be involved.

The authorization procedure for the new 150 kV power line, which runs for about 90 km, part of which are underground cables, through 8 municipalities in northern Sardinia, was initiated by the Italian Ministry of Ecological Transition. Specifically, the project also provides for the construction of two electrical substations, in Tempio and Buddusò, which will make it possible to directly connect the three main hubs of the local electricity grid, creating a new line. This 'meshing' will ensure more resilience, sustainability, efficiency and reliability for regional electricity transmission, and is especially necessary for the eastern area of the island, one of the most critical due to reduced infrastructure and the high demand for electricity by the tourism sector in the summer months.

The project is part of Terna's investments in Sardinia. In line with the new 2021-2025 Industrial Plan, which includes a total of € 8.9 billion for the development and modernisation of the national electricity grid, Terna has planned projects in Sardinia for approximately € 1 billion over the next five years, which will involve over 300 companies and 1,300 workers and technicians active across the work sites and the factories.

With the interconnection between Sardinia, Corsica and the Italian peninsula (Sa.Co.I 3) and the Tyrrhenian Link, the new € 3.7 billion undersea power line that will connect Sardinia with Sicily and the latter with Campania, Sardinia will play a strategic role at an international level: both in terms of

phasing-out of fossil fuel plants and with regard to the decarbonisation of the Italian energy system thanks to the development of renewable sources, in line with the objectives of the NECP, and as an electricity hub for Europe and the Mediterranean area to integrate the markets.

The choice of location for the new project is the result of a long and productive dialogue that Terna has pursued over the years with local administrations, aimed at sharing projects that are geared to sustainability. The documentation of the authorisation process can be consulted by all interested citizens at the Italian Ministry of Ecological Transition and the municipalities concerned, who will have 30 days to submit comments as per regulatory terms.