IC1 to shut down for three days for works on second interconnector

Enemalta and Interconnect Malta have announced a three-day shutdown of the country’s first electricity interconnector with Italy as workers carry out civil works at a substation in Ragusa linked to the ongoing second interconnector project.

“Throughout the duration of these important and carefully coordinated works, including the temporary shutdown of the first interconnector and the ongoing interventions associated with the second interconnector, Malta’s electricity supply will remain stable,” said Enemalta Executive Chairman Ing. Fava.

“During this period, the necessary electricity demand will be fully met through local generation at the Delimara power station, which has sufficient capacity and operational flexibility to reliably support the country’s needs.”

The shutdown is needed because construction firm Terna Energy Solutions is installing a hybrid switchgear at the Ragusa Terminal Station, which requires existing IC1 control cables to be rerouted. 

The hybrid switchgear will allow a spare 220kV shunt reactor to be connected to either interconnector when its dedicated reactor needs to go out of service. 

Civil works will also be carried out to build a housing structure for a fire-water tank serving the site’s fire protection systems.

The works follow the completion of foundations for a 220kV reactor at the same site. Enemalta said the shutdown had been planned well in advance to fit within a suitable operational window, and that Delimara’s generation units would be kept on standby to compensate for the temporary loss of the interconnector.

Energy Minister Miriam Dalli said the second interconnector was advancing as part of a broader strategy that also included upgrades to the distribution network, expansion of renewable energy capacity, and the rollout of large-scale battery storage. “Collectively, these efforts will reinforce energy security and enable a more diverse and sustainable renewable energy mix,” she said.

Steve Farrugia, Executive Director at Interconnect Malta, said the works were being carried out in close coordination with Enemalta, Terna Energy Solutions, and Italy’s national transmission operator. 

“These activities have been planned in full coordination with Enemalta to align with a suitable operational window, and our teams will be working together throughout the execution of the required works,” he said.

The second interconnector, which is co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund, is designed to double Malta’s electricity interconnection capacity with the continent. 

It forms part of the government’s energy strategy under Malta’s Vision 2050 plan and is intended to reduce dependence on locally generated fossil fuel power while enabling greater uptake of renewable energy.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​