Enemalta has issued a public call for expressions of interest for the commercial operation of the fibre optic cable forming part of the Malta-Sicily Interconnector.
Proposals are to be submitted by February 27, at midday.
The Malta-Sicily Interconnector comprises a 120-kilometre high voltage alternating current (HVAC) system capable of bidirectional flow of electrical power, transferring 200MW of electricity. In Sicily, the Interconnector is linked to the Italian network at 230kV in the Terna substation in Ragusa.
The submarine cable lands in Malta at Qalet Marku, Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq and transmits electricity to the distribution network at 132kV through Enemalta’s new terminal station at Magħtab.
Besides the electricity copper power cables, the submarine cable also includes two fibre optic clusters. Enemalta will use part of this capacity to transmit the data required in the operation of the Interconnector’s monitoring, protection and control systems. The remaining fibres are being made available to interested parties for commercial operation in partnership with Enemalta.
The fibre optic clusters are embedded within the armoured submarine cable, providing them with additional safeguards and reinforcement to ensure safety and reliability.
Throughout the entire route between Malta and Sicily, the submarine cable is buried in a trench in the seabed. In areas where the seabed was too hard to trench or where digging was not allowed due to environmental concerns, the cable is covered with a rock berm or enclosed within strong cast iron shells.
On land in Sicily, the fibre optic cable has been installed in an HDPE pipe along the power cable route in a trench in secondary roads.
Ing. Fredrick Azzopardi, Enemalta Executive Chairman, said that the availability of the fibre optic clusters within the Malta-Sicily Interconnector represented a new major data link between Malta and other countries in Europe and beyond.
“This is a unique opportunity for local businesses to extend their existing operations or for other international companies to launch new ventures based in the Maltese Islands. We are inviting them to come forward with creative and flexible solutions that would be viable to them and cost-effective to Enemalta.”