Fabio Bocchi, SA.PE.I Project Director, provides a quick overview of the project's development

Prysmian completed successfully the commissioning of the first phase (Pole 1) of the high voltage DC submarine link between the Sardinian power transmission network and that of the Italian mainland (SA.PE.I.), with the after-laying electrical tests carried out in the Latina converter station.

The record contract worth over 400 million Euro, secured by Prysmian in 2006 and due to be fully completed in 2010, was awarded by Terna Rete Elettrica Nazionale SpA, the company responsible for power transmission and dispatching over the high-voltage and extra-high voltage grid on throughout Italy.
The project, an infrastructure upgrade of strategic importance for the entire country, is a milestone in the submarine power transmission systems industry and reconfirms Prysmian’s position as the leader in this industry. Upon its completion SA.PE.I will be the largest link ever realized worldwide. Apart from being the longest connection ever produced by a single supplier (over 400 km) and the second longest overall, the SA.PE.I. project boasts also two other world firsts in terms of transmitted power (1000 MW) and maximum depth reached (over 1600 metres).

The manufacturing of the Pole 2 cable has already started. The conclusion of the entire project is scheduled by the end of the 2010.

In 2008 alone Prysmian Cables & Systems secured a number of important projects worldwide in the cable industry. Just to mention the latest ones, in UK it has been awarded a contract worth a total value of 87 million Euro to supply the electrical package for the new 300MW Thanet offshore wind park, in consortium with Siemens Transmission & Distribution Ltd; and in Qatar, a contract worth 140 million Euro by Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation for the development of the first ever submarine cable turnkey project serving Doha, the capital of Qatar.

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