Elmed: Tunisia awards key contracts worth 1.23 billion euros

The main contracts for the Elmed project, the electricity interconnector between Tunisia and Italy, have been awarded for about 1.23 billion euros, according to an update published this week by Aius, a Tunisian consultancy specialising in technical assistance for energy projects. The two converter stations were awarded in June 2026 to Hitachi Energy for about 770 million euros, while Italian group Prysmian secured the contract for the submarine cable for about 460 million euros.

The stations will be installed in Mlaabi, in Nabeul governorate, and Partanna, in Sicily. The cable will extend for about 200 kilometres under the Mediterranean. The interconnector will have a bidirectional capacity of 600 megawatts and its overall cost is estimated at about 1.42 billion euros, with commissioning planned between 2028 and 2030, according to Aius.

The project also includes Elmed II, the phase intended to strengthen Tunisia's electricity grid to carry electricity from the central and southern regions to the north and Cap Bon. It notably provides for a 400-kilovolt overhead high-voltage line between Grombalia, in Nabeul governorate, and Kondar, in Sousse governorate, over about 85 kilometres, as well as nearly 20 kilometres of additional connection lines.

A financing agreement worth 43 million euros, or about 145 million dinars, was signed on 15 January 2026 between Tunisia and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development for this component. The announcement comes after the Tunisia-Italy electricity link, whose financing was presented on 13 October.