Italy’s transmission system operator (TSO) Terna SpA has approved six of Sweden-based Hexicon’s seven proposed floating wind power projects for connection to the national grid.

Terna’s interconnection permit is a preliminary agreement that provides a commitment from the transmission system operator to make the necessary capacity available to be connected to the grid. The interconnection permit is an important step to avail the main authorization for building and operating an offshore wind farm.

The combined capacity of the six sites is 7,100 MW, while the permit for the one remaining site is pending.

Hexicon applied for grid connections last year. Terna has now issued the specifications to connect the six locations in Italy to the country’s power grid.

With the above approval, Hexicon, through its joint venture AvenHexicon in Italy, now has a portfolio of seven development sites for floating wind along Sardinia, Sicily, and Puglia coast.

“The progress is moving at record speed, which speaks for Italy’s ambition to develop renewables in the country. Having the grid connection ready is yet another milestone passed, and one which significantly increases the value of each project,” said CEO at AvenHexicon Alberto Dalla Rosa.

Italy has a strong potential for floating wind due to its vast coastline and abundant wind resources. The country’s government is also making efforts to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy projects to cut its dependence on Russia for gas imports.

The country is aiming to generate 55% of its total electricity generation from renewables by 2030. Last year, Italy was named one of the top five emerging markets worldwide for offshore wind, by the Global Wind Energy Council in its report. The Italian government has presented the National Recovery and Resilience Plan to make the post-pandemic recovery as green as possible.

Last November, Denmark-based wind turbine maker Vestas announced that MunmuBaram, a joint venture between Hexicon AB and Shell, named Vestas as the preferred supplier of turbines for the 1.3 GW MunmuBaram floating offshore wind project in South Korea.