In 1992, the original SACOI 1 mercury-arc HVDC converter system linking San Dalmazio in Tuscany with Codrongianos in Sardinia was decommissioned. The mercury-arc converters at both stations were taken out of service, the mercury was removed from the valves, and the link was subsequently replaced by new thyristor-based converter stations as part of the SACOI 2 upgrade, marking the end of SACOI 1’s operational life.
In 1988 a third converter station rated 50 MW, together with a reversible ground electrode, was installed at Lucciana in Corsica, converting the SACOI 1 HVDC link into a multi‑terminal scheme capable of importing or exporting power to the island while maintaining the main Sardinia–Italy power flow.
After commissioning in 1967, the SACOI 1 mercury-arc HVDC interconnector was put into commercial operation in January 1968, with English Electric–supplied converter stations at San Dalmazio (Italian mainland) and Codrongianos (Sardinia), each rated 200 kV and 200 MW and operating together to deliver the scheme’s full capacity.
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SACOI 1 was the original HVDC monopole interconnection linking mainland Italy and Sardinia via Corsica. Commissioned into commercial operation January 1968 (construction completed 1967), the scheme was designed primarily to export power from Sardinian thermal generation to the Italian mainland. T...
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HVDC Italy–Corsica–Sardinia, Sardinia–Corsica–Italy, SACOI, SA.CO.I.
Construction of the original SACOI 1 HVDC monopole interconnector was completed in 1968 by English Electric, delivering a 200 kV, 200 MW mercury‑arc based scheme linking San Dalmazio in Tuscany with Codrongianos in Sardinia via combined overhead lines and submarine cables.
During 1967, the original SACOI 1 mercury-arc HVDC scheme between San Dalmazio in Tuscany and Codrongianos in Sardinia was commissioned, marking the initial energisation and power transmission on the 200 kV, 200 MW monopole link using overhead lines and submarine cables with sea return.
During 1967 the original SACOI 1 HVDC scheme, comprising mercury‑arc converter stations at San Dalmazio on the Italian mainland and Codrongianos in Sardinia (each rated 200 kV, 200 MW), was commissioned in preparation for commercial operation in January 1968.
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