Athens moving ahead with power link
Surveys for subsea cable linking Greece, Cyprus to resume in April, regardless of Turkey’s stance
The Greek government is set to recommence surveys in April for the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI), a subsea electricity cable linking Greece and Cyprus, despite technical delays and Turkish opposition.
The GSI aims to connect the power grids of Greece, Cyprus and Israel, enhancing energy security and integrating renewable energy sources in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Currently, survey vessels such as the Ievoli Relume and NG Worker are undergoing maintenance, causing temporary delays. However, officials anticipate vessel availability by April, allowing surveys near Kasos and Karpathos to proceed.
Efforts to reach a provisional agreement with Turkey to mitigate disputes have been unsuccessful. Consequently, Greece plans to continue surveys, asserting its rights in international waters. Turkey will be notified, emphasizing that these activities comply with maritime law and may involve prior navigational warnings (Navtex) for safety. Greek allies, including France and Israel, have been briefed, with France expected to maintain a discreet naval presence in the area.
On the diplomatic front, Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met during the Cyprus Conference in Geneva on Tuesday, discussing the upcoming High-Level Cooperation Council meeting between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, scheduled for April 8 in Ankara. The ministers plan to reconvene during the NATO Summit on April 3-4.
Meanwhile, Manos Manousakis, CEO of Greece’s Independent Power Transmission Operator (ADMIE), expressed optimism about the GSI’s progress during a recent forum. He acknowledged Turkey’s objections but affirmed the government’s commitment to advancing the project and protecting ADMIE’s interests. Cyprus’ Energy Regulatory Authority officials are visiting Athens on Thursday for discussions with ADMIE regarding a temporary payment suspension to French cable manufacturer Nexans.
The GSI, a €1.9 billion project supported by EU funding, involves a 1,210-kilometer submarine power cable reaching depths of 3,000 meters.
It aims to enhance energy security, integrate renewable energy sources, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, despite complications like financial disagreements and maritime boundary disputes with Turkey. The Interconnector is seen as crucial for the stability and energy security of the region and Europe.
