IPTO, the operator of Greece’s electricity transmission system, and Terna, Italy’s national electricity transmission system operator, signed a Memorandum of Understanding during the intergovernmental summit between Greece and Italy in Rome. This agreement outlines the key terms for designing and developing a new electricity interconnection between the two nations.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni referenced the agreement in their joint statements.
The new direct current (DC) interconnection is a strategically significant project that will enhance existing infrastructure and support future network developments. According to IPTO, it aligns with decarbonization goals and positions Greece and Italy as key energy hubs in the Mediterranean.
“This electricity interconnection is crucial for advancing Europe’s climate objectives and the transition to green energy. The new energy corridor will facilitate electricity exchanges, bolster supply security, and improve the efficiency of the integrated European electricity market, benefiting consumers in both countries. With their extensive expertise and cooperative history, IPTO and Terna are well-equipped to successfully execute this vital infrastructure project,” stated Manos Manousakis, IPTO’s President and CEO.
“The submarine electricity interconnection will enhance energy security in southern Italy and enable a more efficient energy supply, facilitating the use of new energy sources and the continuation of electricity exchanges between our two nations. This project, alongside the existing interconnection established in 2002, will further optimize electricity transmission,” emphasized Giuseppina Di Foggia, CEO and General Manager of Terna. “We believe that a connected European electricity system is essential for a reliable and sustainable grid.”
Project Overview
The project is designed to have a transmission capacity of 1,000 MW and will span approximately 300 km, with around 240 km under the sea at a maximum depth of 1,000 meters. This new interconnection will complement the existing 500 MW link that was launched in 2002. IPTO and Terna are projected to invest about €1.9 billion in the initiative.
In Italy, the marine cable will connect at Melendugno, while a new Converter Station will be established in Galatina, both located in Lecce Province.
The three-year Memorandum of Understanding creates a shared administrative framework for the project, focusing on overall strategy planning and activity coordination. IPTO and Terna will also finalize agreements for the joint management of tender processes for cables, Converter Stations, and infrastructure construction.
GRITA 2 has already been included in the Ten-Year Network Development Program (TYNDP) 2024 of the European Transmission System Operators, and has been jointly proposed for inclusion in the second list of Projects of Common and Mutual Interest (PCI/PMI).
