VALLETTA, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- The regional authority of Sicily, Italy has given its go-ahead for Malta to develop its second interconnector (IC2), according to Interconnect Malta, the consortium tasked with the IC2 project.
This will strengthen Malta's network connection with mainland Europe, Interconnect Malta said in a statement on Thursday.
It added that the formal approval marks an important milestone for implementing the project.
"The second interconnector is an important enabler of our electricity vision, aimed at achieving a sustainable energy future by increasing the share of renewable energy, thereby advancing our nation's decarbonization ambitions," Malta's Energy Minister Miriam Dalli said.
The project involves a 122-km high-voltage alternating current electrical cable interconnection, including a 99-km submarine cable, which will double Malta's current electricity interconnection to the European network.
Some 165 million euros (175 million U.S. dollars) of the 300-million-euro project will be funded through European funds. (1 euro = 1.06 U.S. dollar)
