Following the designation of TI-Link as a PMI - Project of Mutual Interest, namely a strategic cross-border infrastructure project between EU and non-EU countries, the Public Consultation will be carried out in accordance with EU Regulation 869/2022.
The Public Consultation is a participatory process where citizens can provide input, feedback and suggestions to improve and refine the project design.
Although the final decision on the project lies with the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (MASE), the competent authority responsible for the overall permitting procedure, the Public Consultation represents a key element in developing a project that is environmentally and territorially sound. It is based on an open and constructive dialogue between citizens, public authorities, stakeholders, and Zhero.
The Public Consultation will include a series of public meetings starting on 13 May 2026 in the municipalities affected by the proposed project siting options. During these meetings, technical experts from Zhero will present project details, answer questions, and collect feedback
From 21 May to 23 July 2026, a dedicated period for written submissions will be open, during which stakeholders will be able to send additional comments and receive detailed responses. On 18 September 2026, an online final meeting will be held to present all contributions received and the related technical considerations, including any potential alternative design options that may emerge.
The outcomes of the consultation will be consolidated into a final report to be submitted by Zhero to MASE to support the initiation of the formal permitting phase.
Further details on the consultation process are provided in the Information Leaflet and Consultation Plan.
The Public Consultation will officially begin on 13 May 2026 with an online launch event presenting the project, followed by in-person meetings in the municipalities affected by TI-Link’s proposed location options, in accordance with the consultation calendar approved by MASE.
In April, a series of preliminary engagement meetings were held ahead of the formal consultation phase. These were initiated following the participatory design process with local administrations, which expressed the need for early information sessions to allow citizens, stakeholders, and interested parties to become familiar with the project and engage with Zhero technical teams prior to the official consultation launch.
The Public Consultation focuses on the Italian section of the project, from the 12-nautical-mile offshore limit to the Terna connection node in Suvereto. Stakeholders are therefore invited to provide feedback on:
In addition, stakeholders may submit questions, comments, or requests for clarification on any aspect of the project, including design, construction, and commissioning phases, as well as general observations. All contributions will be carefully reviewed and will receive a formal response from Zhero.
In agreement with the municipalities of Campiglia Marittima, Castagneto Carducci, Follonica, Piombino, San Vincenzo and Suvereto, the following schedule of Public Consultation meetings has been defined and approved by the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (MASE).
Comuni interessati: Suvereto, Campiglia Marittima
Dalle ore 10.00 alle 13.00
Dalle ore 17.00 alle 20.00
Comune interessato: Castagneto Carducci
Dalle ore 10.00 alle 13.00
Dalle ore 17.00 alle 20.00
Comune interessato: Piombino
Dalle ore 10.00 alle 13.00
Dalle ore 17.00 alle 20.00
Comune interessato: San Vincenzo
Dalle ore 10.00 alle 13.00
Dalle ore 17.00 alle 20.00
Comune interessato: Follonica
Dalle ore 10.00 alle 13.00
Dalle ore 18:00 alle 20:00
Open day: dalle ore 09.00 alle 17.00
Presentazione progetto e Q&A: dalle 17.00 alle 20.00
Open day: dalle ore 09.00 alle 17.00
Presentazione progetto e Q&A: dalle 17.00 alle 20.00
Open day: dalle ore 09.00 alle 11.00
Presentazione progetto e Q&A: dalle 11.00 alle 13.00
Open day: dalle ore 15.00 alle 17.00
Presentazione progetto e Q&A: dalle 17.00 alle 20.00
Open day: dalle ore 09.00 alle 17.00
Presentazione progetto e Q&A: dalle 17.00 alle 20.00
To submit comments or observations on the project, stakeholders may send an email to:
Alternatively, comments may be submitted through the form below.
The Public Consultation builds on the outcomes of the so-called “Participatory Design Process”, a working methodology adopted by Zhero from the earliest stages of project development. This approach is based on early engagement with competent national, regional, and local authorities and institutions. The objective is to share the main project options that will be subject to Public Consultation and to define, in a coordinated manner, the tools and timeline of the participatory process.
Stakeholders involved in the process include the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (MASE), ISPRA, the National Superintendency for Underwater Cultural Heritage, Terna, Legambiente, WWF, the Tuscany Region, the Valdarno Inferiore Civil Engineering Authority, the Superintendency for Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape for the provinces of Pisa and Livorno, ARPAT, and the municipalities of Campiglia Marittima, Castagneto Carducci, Follonica, Piombino, San Vincenzo and Suvereto.
Through dedicated technical working groups and stakeholder meetings, Zhero incorporated the contributions received into the preparation of the Non-Technical Summary and the Information Leaflet, which were subsequently submitted to MASE for approval and the formal launch of the Public Consultation process.