Enemalta yesterday signed a five-year framework agreement with Italian energy company Enel Trade aimed at facilitating the importation of electricity from Italy through the new €200 million interconnector between Malta and Sicily.

Enemalta said that through the agreement Enemalta would be able to participate in the various energy markets, such as the same day market for emergency or immediate requirements and also the day ahead market, which serves short-term changed requirements.

The 120 kilometre Malta-Sicily interconnector – a project partly funded by the EU – will for the first time connect Malta’s electricity grid with that of continental Europe.

Instead of totally depending on the electricity generated locally through power stations, the interconnector provides the possibility for Malta to start importing electricity from Europe.

The new interconnector has a capacity of importing 200 MW.

Enemalta said that Enel Trade – the electricity and gas trading arm of Enel – was selected after a competitive process initiated by Enemalta last May. Enemalta said that Enel Trade had made the best bid.

Enemalta said the decision to opt for a trader ensures that it retained full flexibility over the use of the interconnector by being able to purchase from any market channel that offered the most advantageous rates.

The agreement was signed by Enemalta chairman Fredrick Azzopardi and deputy chairman Sun Ji and Leonardo Zannella, from Enel Trade.