Terna: activity begins to transplant more than 800 olive trees in Termini Imerese, in the province of Palermo

TERNA: ACTIVITY BEGINS TO TRANSPLANT MORE THAN 800 OLIVE TREES IN TERMINI IMERESE, IN THE PROVINCE OF PALERMO

The work is aimed at protecting olive trees on sites that will host the new converter substation for

the East Branch of the Tyrrhenian Link, which will connect Sicily and Campania

More than 800 olive trees will be removed and replanted in an area owned by the municipality of

Termini Imerese in the nearby municipality of Trabia

Rome, 18 November 2022 - Terna, the Italian national electricity grid operator, has begun work to remove and replant more than 800 olive trees in the municipality of Termini Imerese, in the province of Palermo.

The work is aimed at freeing up an area that will host the converter substation for the East Branch of the Tyrrhenian Link, the 1,000 MW direct-current undersea electrical connection stretching 970 km that will connect Sicily to Campania and Sardinia.

The project details, dictated by the municipality of Termini Imerese, have been defined in collaboration with Terna and local bodies involved.

"We have shared with Terna the need to transplant our olive groves, identifying a new location and thus safeguarding our natural assets" stated Mayor of Termini Imerese, Maria Terranova. "We have created the conditions for environmental and landscape redevelopment and enhancement, highlighting resources and ecological and cultural potential, whilst also limiting and disincentivising processes of abandonment and neglect."

Once they have been removed from the ground, the olive trees will then be replanted in an area owned by the municipality of Termini Imerese in the nearby municipality of Trabia, in the province of Palermo. The company has drafted a two-year plan for management of the trees, which will guarantee care, management and nutriment. More specifically, there are plans for special irrigation and assessments by specialist agronomists.

Terna has adopted a series of measures aimed at ensuring maximum respect for the plants and affected areas: works have been planned for the period when plants are dormant and roots and branches will be pruned to stimulate subsequent regrowth. In addition, the olive trees will be replanted maintaining the same orientation, avoiding changes in terms of exposure to sunlight.