Tunis — The energy sector is one of the most important areas of economic partnership between Tunisia and Italy. Within the framework of the program to integrate European and Maghrebi electrical power systems, a joint Tunisian-Italian project is currently under study. The project involves the building of a combined-cycle electrical power plant and an underwater electrical power cable connection with Italy.

Within the same framework, Mr. Abdelaziz Rassaâ, the Secretary of State in charge of renewable energies and food industries, Mr. Stefano Saglia, Italy's ambassador in Tunis and senior officials in the areas of energy, held a meeting on Tuesday, to discuss the possibility of an underwater connection by submarine cable between Tunis and Sicily.

The electrical interconnection is one of two studies at a cost of 150,000 Euros, subject to a Memorandum of Understanding signed on this occasion between the Tunisian Ministry of Industry, Energy and Small and Medium Enterprises and the Italian Ministry of Environment in the presence of Mr. Issa Ben Ayadi, Director General of the Tunisian Energy Saving Agency (ANME).

The second study involves the construction of an electric power plant with a capacity of 1200MW, including 400MW, destined to cover Tunisia's electricity needs, as well as a 200km-long underwater submarine interconnection between both countries with a transit capacity of some 100MW. Work on the project is due to begin in 2015.

During a press conference held on this occasion, Italian officials highlighted Tunisia's ambitions in the energetic sector, while stressing Italy's interest for this project, whose strategic objective is the interconnection between the energy networks of the Maghreb and Europe.

In an interview with "Tunisiaonlinenews" Mr. Bachir Amar, Director General of the Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company (STEG) said that the parties involved in this project are still uncertain about the location of the power station. Several Tunisian sites have been shortlisted including El Haouaria (Cap Bon), Skhira (Sfax) and Bizerte, he added.

Regarding the negative environmental impact of the project, Mr. Corrado Clini, Director General of Italy's Energy sector said in an interview with "Tunisiaonlinenews" that the project will not involve the use of heavy oil. He also evoked the decision of the European Union to reduce emissions by 10% in the coming years.