Algeria - Italy

Italian developer Zhero has already secured over EUR 100 million in startup financing for the Medlink Italy–Algeria HVDC submarine interconnector, a planned 2 GW bipole link between the Algerian coast and the Italian grid, although the project is expected to require around EUR 5 billion in total investment.

The proposed Italy–Algeria HVDC submarine interconnector, developed as part of Zhero’s Medlink scheme to link the Algerian coast with the Italian grid, was reported as already included in ENTSO-E’s long‑term power transmission plan, indicating its recognition in European transmission planning frameworks by mid‑May 2025.

By mid-May 2025, development of the Italy–Algeria HVDC Medlink interconnector had advanced to the stage where Italy was planning to provide political backing and Italian officials had held private meetings with Medlink executives. The proposed project, developed by Italian firm Zhero, is a 2 GW bipole subsea HVDC cable of about 300 km connecting a transformer station on Algeria’s north‑eastern coast to a reception infrastructure on the Italian grid, integrated into the European cross‑border network. It is already reflected in ENTSO‑E’s long‑term power transmission plan, has over EUR 100 million in startup financing in place out of an estimated EUR 5 billion total cost, and benefits from advanced discussions between Algerian transmission operator Sonelgaz and Italian utility Edison, positioning it as a key future route for exporting Algerian solar power to Europe.