TERNA: PYLONS GONE FROM NINE MUNICIPALITIES IN THE PROVINCE OF . “RECLAMATION ” OF THE LOCAL ELECTRICITY GRID CONTINUES

• Approximately 18 km of old lines are currently being demolished as 56 pylons are taken down in the municipalities of , , , , , , , Orta di Otella and Casalnuovo in Naples • 252,000 thousand square metres of territory and 700 tonnes of steel recovered

Rome, 5 April 2016 - Demolition works begin on the overhead 220 kV long-distance power lines of “Frattamaggiore – Casalnuovo ” and “Frattamaggiore – Acerra ”, enabling the disposal of 56 high voltage pylons crossing nine municipalities, for a total of around 18 km, in the (Frattamaggiore, Frattaminore, Crispano, Cardito, Caivano, Acerra, Afragola, Orta di Otella and Casalnuovo). The Terna technicians are set to complete the operations freeing up the area from obsolete electrical transmission infrastructures by the end of the summer.

The long-distance power lines in fact date back to the 1960s; during the following decade, starting from the late 1970s, the area then underwent major urban and road development, causing homes, condominiums and public parks to be created around the pre-existing electricity pylons. The demolition works, which will eliminate the lines’ interference with the urban fabric, have been made possible thanks to the development and entry into operation of an 8.7 km long underground electricity line that started operating in March 2015.

The elimination of the pylons will free up 252,000 thousand square metres of the territory - a surface area the size of 35 football pitches - and recover 700 tonnes of steel and 54 km of electrical cables and conductors. All the components of the pylons (steel, aluminium, glass, cement) with a maximum height of 40 metres, are consigned to specialised recycling firms for their reintroduction into the production cycle.

The intervention is part of the plan to reorganise the electricity grid in the province of Naples, in a programme that, once completed, will allow for the demolition of 46 km of old long-distance power lines in exchange for the development of 47 km of new, underground lines and just 2 km overhead. Considerable benefits are expected: following completion of the works, economic savings for the system will come to around 11 million euros per year. Moreover, thanks to the reduction of grid losses, approximately 7 thousand fewer tonnes of CO2 will be emitted each year.