Malta launches tenders for pipeline to Italy in push to end gas isolation

A company from Malta has launched three tenders seeking services for a 159-kilometer long interconnector that will connect the island to Italy, ending its gas isolation with the connection to the trans-European Gas Network.

Melita TransGas Pipeline (MTGP), the second cable interconnector between Malta and Italy, will allow the transportation of gas, renewable gases, and hydrogen from the Italian gas network necessary to meet Malta’s gas demand for power generation and future inland market.

InterConnect Malta has issued three tenders aimed at engaging a preliminary marine route survey (PMRS) contractor, representatives on board the survey vessel and liaison officers representing the company.

The first tender is looking for a provider of a preliminary marine route survey and post-survey studies, including bathymetric, subsurface, hydrographic, marine survey and analysis services.

The deadline for submitting applications is 24 March by 09:30.

The second tender concerns services for consultants representing the contracting authority onboard vessels carrying out the PMRS, as well as the review and approval of deliverables.

Similarly, the focus of the third tender is to employ an officer that will represent the contracting authority during meetings in Italy. Services include liaising, the provision of permitting process coordination and authorisations/reporting for projects to be undertaken by InterConnect Malta that may be required during the permitting process in Italy and its territorial waters.

Interested parties are free to submit their applications for the two tenders by 12:00 on 1 April.

Melita TransGas Pipeline, which will connect Delimara in Malta to Gela in Italy, will enable the gasification of Malta and tapping into hydrogen when this is available in the European transmission network.

The project will include a terminal station at Delimara Power station constructed partially on reclaimed land with revetment, a micro-tunnel route through Delimara Peninsula, and a 151-kilometer long offshore pipeline.

According to InterConnect Malta, the MTGP can be designed to allow the transport of a blend of hydrogen and/or biomethane with natural gas, with up to 100% hydrogen, making the pipeline ready for hydrogen transportation once green gas is injected in the European/Italian gas grid.

The project is designed with a 22” diameter pipeline that enables a technical bidirectional design capacity of 2 Bcm/year. It will initially be utilized in the direction from Italy to Malta with a maximum operational capacity of 1.2 Bcm/year.

Once implemented, the interconnector will replace the need of the current LNG supply infrastructure, i.e. floating storage unit and onshore regasification facility, introduced in January 2017 as an intermediate solution for the sole purpose of fuelling the gas-fired power generation plant in Delimara.

Melita TransGas Company Limited (MTG Co.) was established in August 2018 as the project promoter to implement, construct, commission and operate the pipeline, acting as the Maltese transmission system operator (TSO).

In October last year, the Planning Authority unanimously decided in favour of the project proposal and approved the Full Development Permit of the Maltese side for the construction of the pipeline.

The next steps include the issue of permits and the launch of the public procurement procedure for the EPC contract, followed by the contract award. Commissioning is expected in 2025.

MTGP is an EU Project of Common Interest and is co-financed by the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility.