Terna has commenced land-based construction for the Sa.Co.I.3, a 200 kV direct current electrical link connecting Sardinia, Corsica, and Tuscany. This infrastructure will strengthen the European electricity market and support greater integration of renewable energy sources.
The project also aims to ensure an efficient connection between the Corsican and Italian electrical systems through the Lucciana terminal, built by the operator Edf, the manager of the Corsican electrical grid.
The start of construction sites demonstrates the commitment of the company, led by Giuseppina Di Foggia, in the development and implementation of crucial energy infrastructures to achieve the targets set by the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan.
The project involves a total investment of approximately €1.35 billion for Terna-owned works, with costs shared between Italy and France, following the coordinated decision of their respective regulatory bodies (ARERA resolution 416-2024). The Sa.Co.I.3 is expected to be operational in 2029, following the authorization granted by the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security in 2023.
This interconnection has received EU Council approval for a €200 million funding within the REPowerEU program. The project also includes the revamping and upgrading of the existing Sa.Co.I.2, operational since the 1990s. The original infrastructure, active since 1967, was the world’s first 200 kV direct current connection.
At Santa Teresa Gallura (SS), work has begun on the marine cable landing point between Sardinia and Corsica. From March 2025, construction will also start in Salivoli (LI). In the affected coastal municipalities, work will be suspended from late May for the summer break and will resume in October to minimize the impact on local activities.
The infrastructure includes 120 km of submarine power lines between Tuscany, Corsica, and Sardinia, as well as the construction of two new electrical stations: one in Codrongianos (SS), near an existing plant, and another in Suvereto (LI), within the Terna electrical station. In Sardinia, 6 km of underground cable will be laid in Santa Teresa Gallura, allowing for the removal of 5 km of obsolete lines, while in Tuscany, 1.2 km of underground power lines will be installed in Piombino.
The entire project has been designed for seamless environmental integration, minimizing impact from construction to operation. Sustainable techniques, such as guided drilling, will be used for cable landings to significantly reduce effects on marine and coastal ecosystems. Additionally, thanks to an architectural competition promoted by Terna in collaboration with local administrations, the conversion stations will be designed to blend harmoniously with the natural landscape of the affected areas.