SAPEI
Island LinkOperationalIT1,000 MW500 kV435 km2009
Also known as:Sardegna-Penisola Italiana, Sardinia–Italian peninsula, SAPEI High Voltage Cable Link, SA.PE.I., Sardinia-Italian Mainland
Status:Operational
Capacity:1,000 MW
Project Company:
Terna - Rete Elettrica Nazionale S.p.A.
Type:island link
Website:www.terna.it
SA.PE.I. (Sardegna‑Penisola Italiana) is an IT‑IT high‑voltage direct‑current (HVDC) subsea interconnector linking Sardinia (Fiume Santo) with mainland Italy (Latina). Designed and operated by Terna, the bipolar ±500 kV HVDC link has a nominal capacity of 1,000 MW (two 500 MW poles) and comprises approximately 420 km of submarine cable plus...
Supply Chain (3)
Project Timeline (20)
17 Mar 2011Commercial Operations Full Power
On 17 March 2011 the SAPEI HVDC interconnector was inaugurated and the Sardinian electricity system was fully integrated with the Italian mainland grid, bringing the 1,000 MW, 435 km undersea link into full commercial operation. The event, timed with celebrations for the 150th anniversary of Italian unification, marked the point at which both poles of the ±500 kV link between Fiume Santo in Sardinia and Latina on the mainland were in service, providing the world’s deepest submarine power cable connection and substantially enhancing security of supply and market integration for Sardinia.
15 Nov 2010System Testing
On 15 November 2010, Prysmian reported successful completion of commissioning for the first phase (Pole 1) of the SAPEI HVDC submarine link, including after‑laying electrical tests at the Latina converter station, confirming that the first pole was ready for operational service.
Oct 2010Cable Installation Complete
Laying of SAPEI’s second submarine cable was completed in October 2010, finalising installation of the bipolar 1,000 MW, ±500 kV HVDC interconnector’s submarine circuits across the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Mar 2010Construction Other
By March 2010, the converter stations in both Latina and Fiumesanto for the second SAPEI cable had been completed, finalising the physical converter infrastructure for both poles of the bipole HVDC link.
Nov 2009First Power
The first SAPEI HVDC cable (Pole 1) entered into operation in November 2009, marking the initial transmission of power between Sardinia and the Italian mainland while the second pole and remaining works were still being completed. This milestone followed completion of the first cable laying in November 2008 and the associated converter stations at Latina and Fiumesanto, enabling early use of the new ±500 kV, 1,000 MW interconnector ahead of full bipole commissioning.
Jun 2009Construction Other
Construction of the SAPEI converter station at Fiumesanto in Sardinia for the first cable was completed in June 2009, providing the island-side terminal installation for the initial pole of the HVDC interconnector.
Feb 2009Construction Other
Terna completed construction of the SAPEI converter station in Latina associated with the first cable in February 2009, finishing the main civil and electrical works for the mainland terminal of the HVDC link’s first pole.
2009Onss Commissioned
In 2009 the SAPEI HVDC converter stations at Fiume Santo in Sardinia and Latina on the Italian mainland entered into operation, providing the AC/DC conversion terminals needed for power exchange between the island and the peninsula ahead of full commissioning of the interconnector.
Nov 2008Cable Installation Complete
Installation of SAPEI’s first HVDC pole submarine cable was completed in November 2008, marking the finish of laying activities for the initial submarine circuit between Fiume Santo in Sardinia and Latina on the Italian mainland.
2008Cable Installation Start
In 2008, construction of the SAPEI link moved into the cable installation phase, with Prysmian’s Giulio Verne beginning deployment of the 435 km HVDC system, including the deep‑water submarine sections in the Tyrrhenian Sea and associated onshore cable sections between Fiume Santo and Latina.