Nexans has completed installation of the high-voltage subsea cable for Italy’s Tyrrhenian Link project. The project reached a record depth of 2,150 meters for a 500 kV HVDC connection. As a result, it marks a major step forward in deep-water subsea cable installation.
Record Installation Strengthens Italy’s Power Grid
Nexans set the record in December 2025. It then confirmed the achievement on January 1, 2026, during the final pull-in. This step connected Terra Mala in Sardinia to Fiumetorto in Sicily. Therefore, it completed the western section of the project.
Terna is developing the Tyrrhenian Link to connect Sardinia, Sicily, and mainland Italy. The system uses a 500 kV HVDC interconnection to improve grid performance. Nexans installed about 480 km of deep-water cable in two phases. In total, the full project will include two links of about 970 km each and deliver 1,000 MW of capacity.
Advanced Engineering Enables Deep-Water Success
The Nexans Tyrrhenian Link installation required precise planning and execution. Crews worked aboard the Nexans Aurora and managed cable placement on steep seabed terrain. At the same time, the cable descended more than two kilometers below sea level.
Teams mapped the seabed, refined routes, and controlled cable tension throughout the process. In addition, ROV operators, survey teams, and vessel crews coordinated in real time. As a result, they ensured accuracy during both installation and final connection.
Nexans emphasized engineering precision and operational discipline as key success factors. Meanwhile, Terna highlighted improvements in grid stability, energy security, and system reliability.
Overall, this achievement sets a new benchmark for deep-water HVDC cable systems. As demand increases, these projects will support renewable energy integration and strengthen global power networks.
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