A major milestone in Malta’s second inter-connector project was reached with the signing of a contract between the Government of Malta and Norwegian company Nexans AS for the manufacturing and installation of a new subsea electricity cable.

Known as IC2, the inter-connector will link Malta and Sicily via a 99-kilometre, 245kV submarine cable. The project, valued at approximately €300 million, is co-financed by the European Union and recognised as a strategic initiative under EU energy infrastructure priorities.

The contract is one of six main tenders linked to the implementation of IC2, which aims to strengthen Malta’s energy infrastructure by adding a second interconnection to the European electricity grid.

This additional capacity is expected to increase energy security, reduce vulnerability to disruptions, and enable greater integration of renewable energy sources.

It will also support the country’s transition toward a carbon-neutral economy by offering the flexibility to import renewable electricity and manage variability from domestic sources, including potential offshore energy developments.

The agreement was signed by Adrian Dalli, Director General of the Department of Contracts, and Yvan Duperray, Vice President of Marketing and Sales at Nexans. Perit Godwin Agius, Chairman of Interconnect Malta, noted that the agreement reflects the culmination of extensive planning and international interest, with strong competition observed during the tendering process.

The second inter-connector is expected to play a central role in Malta’s long-term energy strategy and contribute significantly to achieving the country’s decarbonisation goals, including an estimated reduction of 13.5 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions.

Nationalist Party Responds

In response to the signing of the contract for Malta’s second inter-connector with Italy, the Partit Nazzjonalista (PN) stated that this development is the result of a long-term vision and strategic planning carried out by successive PN governments.

The party said that the project was originally planned before 2013 as part of efforts to ensure a stable and secure electricity supply for Malta’s growing economy.

The PN said that the second inte-rconnector is not a new idea, but one that had been foreseen years ago by Nationalist administrations through Enemalta’s plans.

The party added that if the Labour government had followed through on these plans without delay, the inter-connector could have been completed earlier—potentially avoiding the need to spend €37 million on renting generators to support the Electrogas power station.

The PN also highlighted that this project is being realised with the help of European Union funds, made available because Malta is an EU member state—a status achieved under a Nationalist government. According to the PN, this reinforces the importance of Malta’s EU membership in enabling major national infrastructure projects.

The PN concluded by stating that the second inter-connector reflects the foresight of past administrations and the value of long-term planning in safeguarding Malta’s energy future.

Labour Party Responds

In response to the Nationalist Party, the Labour Party issued a statement saying that ‘whoever has not even been able to get a permit for one inter-connector, today is trying to take merit for a second interconnect as well.’

‘The merit lies with the workers and the Labour Government who believes in the energy sector, and has long term plans in this regard.’

#MaltaDaily