20101029
africanews

Italy will be able to import 600,000 megawatt hours (MWh) of power per year from Tunisia starting in 2018 after Tunisia completes a power generating area and an interconnector.

The power generating area in Tunisia will produce electricity from conventional and renewable sources, Italy's Industry Ministry Undersecretary Stefano Saglia said at the Tunisia Solar International Conference.

The area will have a generating capacity of 1,200 MW, 400 MW of which will be for the Tunisian market and the rest for Italy, he said.

“With the Tunisian solar power programme it will be possible to achieve (Italy's) binding 2020 targets under the European directive (to fight climate change),” Saglia said.

The interconnector with Italy will have a capacity of 1,000 MW, he said, adding the tender bid for the underwater cable is close.

Italian national grid operator Terna plans to invest 400-500 million euros in the interconnector to Tunisia.