Tunis: The Tunisian government authorized the construction and use of a high-voltage direct power line connecting Tunisia to Italy, as part of the Elmed project. With a length of nearly 106 km (on Tunisian territory), including approximately 100 km of the marine section and approximately 6 km of the underground section, this power line will link the marine section to the connection point to be established in the industrial area of Sidi Jameleddine in Kélibia and the high voltage station to be installed in the industrial zone, in accordance with a decision issued by the Prime Minister on July 4, 2024 and published, on Tuesday, in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Tunisia (JORT). The license for the construction and use of this power line authorizes officials of the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy and those of the Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company (STEG) as well as the company in charge of the construction works, to enter unbuilt properties and not surrounded with walls or other similar fences which are mentioned in the lists submitted to the governorate headquarters of Nabeul. In a plenary session held on January 30, the Assembly of People's Representatives (ARP) passed a draft law related to approving a loan agreement signed between Tunisia and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD). The agreement provides for granting a loan of pound 247 million to STEG to help fund the electricity interconnection project between Tunisia and Italy (Elmed) as well as develop the renewable energy system. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse