Towards an Efficient, Adequate, Sustainable and Interconnected Mediterranean Power System: Résumé of the Master Plan

(RES), and the need to ensure security of supply. The Association of Mediterranean

Transmission System Operators (Med-TSO) has developed a coordinated planning framework to support the long-term development of cross-border electricity interconnections among

Mediterranean countries. This framework aims to enable a cost-effective, secure, and sustainable evolution of the Mediterranean power system through regional cooperation and integrated network planning.

The planning process is based on a consolidated methodology for the elaboration and assessment of a portfolio of interconnection projects, as defined in the Mediterranean Master

Plan (MMP). These projects are grouped into five main corridors: the Western Mediterranean

Corridors, the Central Mediterranean Corridor and North Africa Backbone, the East

Mediterranean Interconnectors, the Eastern Balkan Corridor, and the Middle East

Mediterranean Integration corridor. The corridor-based approach allows for a structured assessment of regional system needs and facilitates the identification of projects that provide cross-border and system-wide benefits.

A key element of the methodology is the development of long-term scenarios, which provide a quantitative basis for market and network studies. For the 2040 horizon, three scenarios—

Inertial, Proactive, and Mediterranean Ambition—are defined to reflect different levels of policy ambition, regional cooperation, and technological progress. These scenarios explore alternative pathways for electricity demand, generation mix evolution, RES deployment, and decarbonization. For the 2030 horizon, where uncertainty is lower, a single projection aligned with the European Ten-Year Network Development Plan (TYNDP) 2024 NT+2030 scenario is adopted.

According to the 2030 projection, total electricity consumption in Mediterranean countries is expected to reach approximately 2,470 TWh, representing a 20% increase compared to 2023.

At the same time, the share of electricity generation from RES is projected to exceed 50%, driven mainly by solar and wind power development. This transition is expected to significantly reduce the role of high-emission thermal generation, leading to an estimated 36% reduction in

CO₂ emissions from the electricity sector relative to 2023 levels.

Given the diversity of the Mediterranean electricity system, interconnection projects are evaluated based on multiple categories of system needs, including welfare and sustainability, security of supply, reduction of system isolation, operational flexibility, and improved power flows. The results of the Mediterranean Master Plan indicate that the implementation of the analyzed projects could add around 8 GW of transfer capacity, with investments of up to €6 billion. While the 18 interconnection projects – including 7 exploratory ones - analyzed under the Mediterranean Electricity Interconnection Perspective (MEIP) could add up to 15 GW of electricity transfer capacity, about 6.700 km of new transmission lines with total investments reaching approximately €48 billion.across the region. These interconnections would enhance regional integration, support renewable energy integration, reduce CO₂ emissions, and improve the overall security and efficiency of the Mediterranean power system.