Work has officially begun on a key phase of Malta’s second electricity interconnector with Sicily, with underground drilling now underway to connect the project’s onshore and offshore sections.The specialised horizontal directional drilling (HDD) works are being carried out by Nexans and will create an underground route allowing the high-voltage cable to pass from land to sea without disturbing the coastline.A similar drilling process is expected to begin in Sicily later this year, with both sides of the project being closely coordinated before the subsea cable is laid between Malta and Italy. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lovin Malta (@lovinmalta)Energy Minister Miriam Dalli described the project as one involving complex engineering, extensive planning and coordination, while stressing its national importance.Meanwhile, Minister for European Funds Keith Azzopardi Tanti said the €300 million project will strengthen Malta’s energy security while helping to keep electricity prices stable for households and businesses.Once drilling is completed in both countries, the submarine cable will be laid from Malta towards Italy before being connected to the land infrastructure at each end.Interconnect Malta manager Perit Reuben Sammut said one of the project’s biggest achievements is that such significant infrastructure will be delivered with minimal visual and environmental impact thanks to modern engineering techniques.Once completed, the Second Malta-Sicily Interconnector will double Malta’s electricity interconnection capacity with the European grid, improving security of supply and supporting the country’s transition towards greater use of renewable energy.The project is being financed through €261 million in European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) funding as part of a wider €300 million investment.What do you make of this?•