One step closer to another EU interconnector project: Algeria’s state-owned oil and gas firms Sonatrach and Sonelgaz inked an MoU with Italian energy group Eni to study the feasibility of a planned subsea power interconnector line to export electricity to the Italian and European markets, according to a press release (pdf) last week.

The project has been in deliberation since 2023: This agreement follows two initial strategic intent agreements signed in Algeria in January last year to identify future joint projects related to energy supply, energy transition, and decarbonization. The exported electricity will be generated from both renewable sources and natural gas.

Part of a bigger plan? Italian energy firm Zhero is developing the Medlink project in a bid to import renewable energy from Tunisia and Algeria, which would cover nearly 8% of Italy’s electricity needs. The project is scheduled to kick off operations in 2030, and could eventually expand to deliver green energy to Austria, Germany and Switzerland

There’s also an Italy-Tunisia interconnection project in the works: Italy and Tunisia are already working on a separate EUR 1 bn electric interconnection project dubbed Elmed. Italy's Environment and Energy Security Ministry officially authorized the project in May. The 600 MW subsea interconnector will transport 400-600 MW of clean power generated from hydroelectricity and is targeting an operational launch by 2028. The European Union and its Team Europe partners — which include the EIB and EBRD — pledged EUR 472.6 mn for the Elmed electricity interconnection project in June among other commitments by key partners.

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