EDF - About EDF in Italy

In the 70's, EDF and Enel worked together to build a direct current HV line, still in operation, connecting Tuscany, Corsica and Sardinia.

In 1988, EDF and Enel signed a long-term supply contract, which expired at the end of 2007, to offset Italy's structural power deficit due to the nuclear moratorium.In 1995, EDF entered into a first partnership with Edison for the construction of ISE plants in Taranto and the Piombino steelworks.

In 2000, EDF set up a commercial subsidiary in Rome, EDF Italia, which later became EDF Energia Italia.

In the same year EDF decided to enter into the Italian renewable energies market, through 50-50 joint ventures with Italian partners.In summer 2001, EDF, together with Fiat and other partners, took over Edison. The initial partners were replaced by AEM Milano (now A2A) and other regional utilities of Northern Italy.

In October 2001, EDF purchased the full stake in EDF Fenice (energy and environmental services) from Fiat.

In 2006, EDF decided to consolidate its commercial activity in Italy within Edison, which incorporated EDF Energia Italia. EDF's institutional relations, previously carried out within EDF Energia Italia, are now handled by a Representative Office in Rome.

A recent cooperation agreement between Edison and EDF Fenice extends the scope of integrated offers of energy and environmental services.

In March 2007, a subsidiary of EDF Energies Nouvelles, EDF EN Italia Spa, was established to manage wind and solar projects.

On October 19, 2010 was officially created EDF ENR Solare, the Italian subsidiary of EDF Energies Nouvelles Réparties. EDF EN is specialized in construction and operation of integrated photovoltaic systems for residential and industrial clients.

Three 380-kV lines and one 220-kV line interconnect the two countries. A new project has recently been launched to build a 1000 MW direct current line between Grand'Ile station in the Maurienne Valley and Piossasco station on the outskirts of Turin. This fully-underground line will cross the Alps through the safety gallery under construction alongside the Frejus motorway tunnel. This new line will increase the interconnection capacity between the two countries, from just under 3000 MW to 4000 MW, equalling interconnection capacity between Italy and Switzerland.

Another line may be installed at a later date, when the Lyon-Turin high-speed rail line is completed.

Finally, Corsica is connected to the Italian network via the Tuscany-Corsica-Sardinia DC line, and by the recent 150 kV AC line between Santa Teresa and Bonifacio.