Mediterranean Electricity
Interconnection Perspective
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Executive Summary
The present edition of the Mediterranean Electricity Interconnection Perspective (MEIP) represents the result of the collaboration between the 20 Transmission System Operators (TSOs)1 of Med-TSO, aimed at exploring the opportunities to strengthen the electrical integration across the Mediterranean region.
Together with the updated Master Plan of Interconnection, this document is one of the key deliverables of TEASIMED 2 (Towards an Efficient, Adequate, Sustainable and Interconnected MEDiterranean Power System 2), the fourth consecutive project co-funded by the European Commission to sustain the development of the region.
The report includes the assessment of 11 interconnection projects promoted by Mediterranean TSO members from 13 different countries, spanning five different corridors characterised by common geographical particularities and challenges. It also includes seven exploratory projects, analysed to assess the potential benefits of increasing transmission capacity across borders currently not directly investigated by Med-TSO members. Including these exploratory projects, the total number of involved countries rises to 18 in total.
Projects are assessed for the first time with a view to the 2040 time-horizon and considering three different energy scenarios developed by Med-TSO members, in alignment with the scenarios developed by ENTSO-E, the Association of European TSOs, in the framework of the 2024 Ten-Year Network Development Plan (TYNDP).
Within the framework of the MEIP, TSOs were given the opportunity and the tools to identify possible evolution trends for the whole Mediterranean region, identify the associated system and network needs, and assess the benefits of interconnection projects to cover them.
Observing at the results and the overall indicators resulting from the MEIP as depicted in Figure 1, the following key considerations could be extracted:
- Globally, the execution of all 18 interconnection projects, including exploratory ones, would result in around 20.5 GW of additional transfer capacity, involving investments up to €48bn. This would significantly contribute to the development of the Mediterranean regon in the medium term from economic, social and environmental perspectives.
- While the updated Master Plan provides useful insights on projects currently under development or currently included in TSOs’ National Development Plans (NDPs), the MEIP predominantly focuses on future interconnections subject to preliminary assessment, and even exploratory interconnection projects.
- Developing new interconnection capacity is crucial for leveraging the complementarities among Mediterranean countries, supporting renewable energy integration and contributing to the reduction of CO2.
- In certain cases, interconnections help rduce the energy isolation of specific countries or regions, significantly enhancing their security of supply (SoS), while also contributing to system stability.
- Building interconnections looking at both the 2030 and 2040 horizons represents a fundamental step towards the progressive, long-term energy integration of the Mediterranean region. This process will require continued development to ensure efficient operational use of the available transmission capacity.