Prysmian's Leonardo da Vinci cable-laying vessel on Tyrrhenian Link duty
Terna, Italy’s transmission system operator, invested approximately €3.7 billion in the project, engaging Prysmian and Nexans to supply cables. The eastern section’s first cable, spanning 490 kilometers, was laid in two phases. The initial 260-kilometer segment was completed in March, followed by the 230-kilometer segment starting in April, with operations beginning at Fiumetorto in Termini Imerese, Sicily, and concluding at Torre Tuscia Magazzeno in Battipaglia, Campania, in February 2025. The completion was marked by an event on Prysmian’s Leonardo Da Vinci cable-laying vessel.
Raul Gil, EVP Transmission BU of Prysmian, stated: “We are proud to collaborate once again with Terna on this ambitious project that strengthens the Italian electrical infrastructure and promotes the energy transition.” The Tyrrhenian Link, supported by €1.9 billion in financing from the European Investment Bank, is set to be fully operational by 2028, enhancing grid reliability and supporting decarbonization goals across Italy and Europe.
Construction progresses alongside cable installation. Civil works are underway for conversion stations in Eboli (Salerno), Termini Imerese, and Selargius (Cagliari), with western section sites active since July 2024. Land and sea excavation continues at Fiumetorto, and adjustments to the Cornelius Aqueduct in Palermo are ongoing to accommodate a new electric substation.
Terna is also collaborating with Greece’s Independent Power Transmission Operator to develop a second high-voltage direct current link between Italy and Greece, complementing the existing 500 MW interconnection operational since 2002. These efforts reflect Italy’s commitment to expanding its energy infrastructure, prioritizing sustainability and grid stability.
