FAQ
Q & A
Why is this infrastructure important?
AI-Link is designed to strengthen energy integration between Algeria, Italy, and Europe, contributing to energy security, sustainability, and long-term economic and social development objectives.
For Algeria, the project will enable the development of large-scale renewable generation capacity, supporting the decarbonization of the national power system, strengthening energy security and grid infrastructure, and creating employment opportunities as well as broader social, economic, and industrial value.
For Italy, AI-Link will provide a new source of approximately 2 GW of stable and competitively priced renewable electricity, contributing to the diversification of the national energy mix and supporting decarbonization targets. The availability of competitively priced electricity is also expected to contribute to lower wholesale electricity prices, benefiting both households and industrial consumers.
At European level, the project will support security of supply, emissions reduction, and deeper integration of electricity markets across the Mediterranean region. In this context, AI-Link has been included among key European strategic initiatives, including Global Gateway, the ENTSO-E Ten-Year Network Development Plan (TYNDP), and the list of Projects of Mutual Interest (PMI).
Why Algeria?
Algeria represents a natural partner for the development of an integrated energy infrastructure between North Africa and Europe, supported by long-standing relations with Italy and the European Union and an established framework of energy cooperation.
The country benefits from highly favourable conditions for renewable energy development, with solar and wind resources among the most competitive in the Mediterranean region, enabling large-scale, efficient and stable power generation.
Its geographical position, in close proximity to the Italian and wider European market, allows for a direct and efficient interconnection between the two power systems, supporting market integration and enhancing energy security of supply.
In this context, the project contributes to Algeria’s national energy objectives, including its renewable energy targets for 2030 and 2035, while also creating opportunities for economic, social and industrial development, and further strengthening the energy partnership with Europe.
Why Liguria?
Liguria has been identified as the landing point for the project due to its strategic geographical position and the presence of the La Spezia electrical substation, designated by Terna as the connection point to the Italian National Transmission Grid (RTN).
This choice is based on the ability of the La Spezia node to accommodate the high transmission capacity of the interconnection (2 GW), its proximity to major electricity demand centres in Northern Italy, and the need to avoid overloading the transmission infrastructure in Central and Southern Italy. A more southern landing point would have reduced the overall length of the infrastructure; however, the transmission corridors in Central and Southern Italy are already significantly constrained due to the high concentration of renewable energy plants in the region. As a result, they would not be able to accommodate the additional power flows from North Africa without complex and costly reinforcement works, which would fall under the responsibility of the national transmission system operator and ultimately impact system costs. For these reasons, Zhero has adopted a more technically challenging but system-optimal solution, ensuring a direct and more efficient grid connection to the Italian transmission network.
How will the affected territories be involved and informed?
In defining the project routes, Zhero has adopted a voluntary “Participatory Design Process”, a working methodology aimed at actively engaging national and local institutions as well as key stakeholders, with the objective of identifying and sharing solutions that are more sustainable and better aligned with the needs of the territories involved.
In Italia, infatti, fin dalle prime fasi progettuali, sono stati coinvolti i principali portatori di interesse e i loro primi contributi sono stati integrati nel processo di progettazione. Tra questi figurano il Governo italiano, il Ministero dell’Ambiente e della Sicurezza Energetica, ISPRA, la Soprintendenza nazionale per il patrimonio subacqueo, Terna, nonché le associazioni WWF e Legambiente. Sono inoltre state coinvolte la Regione Liguria, la Soprintendenza Archeologia, Belle Arti e Paesaggio della Spezia, ARPAL, il Parco Montemarcello Magra Vara, l’Autorità di Bacino Appennino Settentrionale, Concessioni del Tirreno, l’Autorità di Sistema Portuale Mar Ligure Orientale, la Capitaneria di Porto di La Spezia e le amministrazioni comunali di Ameglia, Arcola, La Spezia, Santo Stefano di Magra, Sarzana, Vezzano Ligure; che contribuiranno a coinvolgere in maniera più ampia i cittadini delle rispettive comunità. In virtù del riconoscimento di AI-Link come PMI – Progetto di Mutuo Interesse, in conformità con il Regolamento (UE) 869/2022, il tracciato italiano sarà inoltre sottoposto alla “Consultazione Pubblica”, uno strumento formale di partecipazione attiva di tutti i soggetti interessati ad approfondire le proposte progettuali dell’opera per giungere alla definizione del progetto condiviso da avviare alla fase autorizzativa.
Attraverso incontri in presenza e online, per garantire la massima partecipazione, chiunque sia interessato avrà l’opportunità di approfondire i dettagli dell’opera e di confrontarsi direttamente con i tecnici di Zhero, di porre domande e di comunicare eventuali osservazioni. Tali attività si svolgeranno per un periodo di circa 3 mesi. Il calendario degli incontri sarà reso noto in anticipo a beneficio di tutti i portatori di interesse. In Algeria, in quanto Paese extraeuropeo, il percorso di interlocuzione e coordinamento con i territori si sviluppa attraverso il Governo e il coinvolgimento delle istituzioni competenti. Tale percorso è orientato a favorire un quadro di collaborazione e coordinamento istituzionale in grado di accompagnare le diverse fasi di sviluppo dell’opera e di garantirne una visione complessiva e condivisa.
How long does the Public Consultation last?
The overall consultation process is defined under Article 10(a) of the TEN-E Regulation. The public meetings, the period for submitting comments, and the final feedback session involving local communities will take place over approximately four months, from October to December 2026. Following approval of the Information Leaflet and Consultation Plan by the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (MASE), Zhero will organise the first public consultation meetings starting on 16 October 2026. These will be followed by a 60-day period for submitting comments, from 16 October to 16 December, and a final meeting on 18 December 2026 to present the outcomes of the consultation process.
Can citizens submit comments on the project? If so, how?
Yes. Not only is this possible, but it is also encouraged during the Public Consultation meetings and throughout the subsequent comment submission period. The purpose of the consultation is to ensure broad and active participation from the local community, with the aim of identifying the most suitable design solutions in relation to the local territorial context. During the public meetings, technical experts from Zhero will be present and available to receive any input, suggestions, or observations. In addition, during the dedicated comment period, further contributions may be submitted to Zhero through a dedicated form available on the “Public Consultation” section of the website ai-link.it, or by email at info@ai-link.it
Who is responsible for authorising the project?
The final approval of the project lies with the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (MASE), the competent authority for the overall permitting procedure under the applicable national energy regulations. At the end of the Public Consultation process, a report will be prepared and submitted to MASE. The Ministry will then convene a preliminary Conference of Services with the relevant local authorities in order to review the outcomes of the consultation and formally launch the permitting procedure. Once the procedure has been initiated, the opinions and assessments of all competent authorities will be collected. Following the conclusion of the Conference of Services, the Liguria Region will be required to issue its formal agreement on the project, which will then be acquired by MASE. Subsequently, the Ministry will issue its final decision through the authorisation decree for the construction and operation of the transmission line.
What is the project timeline?
Indicatively, the entire project will be completed over approximately four years from the issuance of the construction and operation authorisation by the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (MASE). As part of the overall permitting process, the Public Consultation phase will be carried out first, followed by the Conference of Services. These steps will allow all relevant technical and administrative assessments to be defined and incorporated into the final ministerial authorisation decree.
Will the project be subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)?
No, the project will not be subject to a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) nor to a screening procedure. In accordance with Italian Legislative Decree 152/2006 and subsequent amendments, underground and submarine cable systems, as well as HVDC transmission lines, are not subject to EIA procedures or screening requirements.
At national level, EIA procedures apply only to overhead transmission lines above 100 kV with a length exceeding 10 km (Annex II, point 4-bis). This threshold is reduced by 50% where protected areas are affected. Similarly, screening procedures apply to overhead external transmission lines above 100 kV with a length exceeding 3 km (Annex II-bis, point 1(d)), also subject to a 50% reduction in threshold in the presence of protected areas.
Nevertheless, the project will undergo environmental assessment by MASE with specific reference to the submarine cable route and landfall areas, in order to ensure the protection of marine habitats.