(AGENPARL) – ven 01 dicembre 2023 TERNA TO INVEST € 1.3 BILLION IN LOMBARDY OVER THE
NEXT TEN YEARS
Meeting between Terna and the Lombardy Region to discuss the 2023–2032 Development Plan of
the national transmission grid
The main works planned include the new Milan-Montalto Hypergrid backbone, infrastructures
supporting the “Milan-Cortina 2026” Winter Games and the rationalisation of the Valtellina power
Rome, 1 December 2023 – Terna, the Italian transmission power grid operator led by Giuseppina
Di Foggia, met with Lombardy Region authorities in Milan to present the infrastructure works
envisaged for the region as part of the 2023-2032 Development Plan of the national transmission
grid, involving investments worth € 1.3 billion over the next ten years.
The main feature introduced by the Development Plan is the Hypergrid network, which will
leverage the technologies of the HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current) transmission system to
achieve the energy transition and security targets. A new HVDC electrical backbone is planned,
covering over 400 km between Milan and Montalto (Viterbo) and designed to integrate renewable
energy capacity.
The project, which will improve the safe transfer of energy from the Southern Italy to the regions of
Northern Italy where demand for electricity is more sustained, will include a submarine section
between Montalto and Avenza (Massa Carrara) as well as the modernisation and reconversion to
500 kV direct current of existing overhead power lines from the Avenza area to the south of
Lombardy.
Terna’s Plan also includes new infrastructure for the electricity grid for the “Milan-Cortina 2026”
Olympic and Paralympic Games. These sustainable works with a reduced impact on the landscape
will increase energy reliability in the regions where the Winter Olympics will be held. Furthermore,
a new Livigno-Premadio (Sondrio) electrical connection will be realised in Valtellina.
The infrastructure currently being built includes an approximately 20 km power line made up of two
underground cables mostly following the same route. The works will ensure greater meshing of the
electricity grid and will increase the resilience of the electricity system in the areas affected by
extreme weather events.
In the meantime, work on the new Premadio substation is also under way, designed to use
compact insulated technology with a reduced environmental impact. The equipment will be placed
inside buildings that are in-keeping with the surrounding mountain landscape. Four new
underground cable connections (one of which already in operation) supplying the Milan electricity
grid complete the framework.
The company has also planned a significant project for the rationalisation of the electricity grid
between mid-Valtellina and Valchiavenna. The work will enable improved meshing and, therefore,
efficiency of the electricity grid in the area comprising the provinces of Sondrio, Bergamo, Lecco
and Milan, also favouring the integration of the energy produced by hydroelectric plants in northern
Lombardy. In addition, thanks to an extensive reorganisation of the high voltage grid, the impact on
the territory of the existing electricity infrastructure will decrease, providing environmental and
social benefits. The two new 380 kV lines will in fact enable to demolish around 480 kilometres of
power lines (over 1,300 pylons) in the area between Valtellina and the city of Milan.
Other relevant projects in Lombardy include the restructuring of the Brescia electricity grid, the
rationalisation of the electricity grid in Valle Sabbia and works planned to improve resilience of the
grid in areas exposed to severe weather events, specifically strong winds and ice.
Terna also agreed to sign a new Memorandum of Understanding, to renew existing agreements
and promote dialogue and cooperation in order to accelerate implementation of the Plan.