Greece has announced the completion of a major undersea power cable linking the mainland to the island of Crete, marking a significant milestone in the country’s energy transition strategy.
The €1 billion, 330-kilometre-long connection — plugged in on Saturday — is expected to be fully operational by summer, according to Greece’s grid operator.
Funded primarily through European Union grants and loans, the link forms part of the wider “Great Sea Interconnector” project, which Athens hopes to extend to Cyprus and Israel by the end of the decade.
Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou said: “Crete is becoming a central pillar for the country’s energy transition. We’re moving forward with the development of an integrated network of electrical interconnections, strengthening our country as a strategic energy hub in the Eastern Mediterranean.”
The interconnector will allow Crete to shift away from fossil fuel-based energy to renewable sources. It uses high-voltage direct current (HVDC) systems and supports a transmission capacity of 1,000 megawatts. The cables were laid at depths reaching 1,200 metres.
The project, overseen by a subsidiary of Greece’s Independent Power Transmission Operator (IPTO), involved major international contractors, including Siemens Energy, Greek firm TERNA, and Italy’s Prysmian Group.
However, the broader regional energy plan faces hurdles, including maritime tensions with Turkey and financial disagreements.
In a parallel effort, Greece and Egypt are advancing plans for a separate undersea cable that would bypass Crete and connect the two countries directly.
Source: euronews.com
