A project to construct the world's longest and deepest underwater power interconnector has been given the green light as the governments of Greece, Cyprus and Israel ink a deal to link their electrical grids and allow for greater energy independence.
EuroAsia interconnector signing. Source: EuroAsia / Twitter
Left to right: Greek Energy and Environment Minister Kostas Skrekas (by videoconference), Israeli Energy Minister Dr Yuval Steinitz and Cypriot Energy Minister Natasa Pilides, at the signing ceremony in Nicosia, Cyprus. Source: EuroAsia Interconnector / Twitter
The €760 million "EuroAsia" interconnector project, which is being partly financed by the EU, is set to connect member state Cyprus to the European power network for the first time, as well as the state of Israel.
Also read: Cyprus & Egypt Sign Electricity Connection Agreement
One of the EU's "projects of common interest", the interconnector should enable the integration of renewable sources and grant the nations greater energy independence.
The 2,000 MW interconnector stands to be an asset to each of the three nations.
Cyprus' Energy Minister Natasa Pilides said that it was "a decisive step towards ending the island's energy isolation, and consequently, our dependence on heavy fuels."
The island nation is the only EU member state that is not interconnected.
For Israel, the project is seen as a back-up power source. The country's Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz said that it would enable Israel "to receive electricity backing from the power grids of the European continent in times of emergency."
The three nations also agreed to a regional energy alliance, with the aim of exploring and exploiting natural gas resources. The alliance will also provide Cyprus especially a way of pushing back against what it describes as Turkish incursions into its Exclusive Economic Zone.
Last year, Cyprus described Turkey as a "pirate state" following continued drilling in its waters.
Also read: Cyprus brands Turkey "pirate state" as EEZ drilling resumes
The subsea interconnector will cover three sections of the Mediterranean Sea, the longest of which, at around 900 km (560 miles) will connect Cyprus to the Greek island of Crete.
The other two sections between Crete and the Greek mainland, and between Cyprus and Israel, will both be around 310 km (193 miles).
Israel's Energy Ministry has said the subsea cable will be the longest and deepest in the world, with a total length of 1,500 km (930 miles) and a depth of 2,700 metres (8,850 ft).
The section of cable between mainland Greece and Crete is already under construction. Greek power grid operator IPTO has said it expects the section to be finished by 2023.
The entire project is scheduled for completion and connection in 2024, with operations to begin the following year, said Israel's energy ministry.
Back to Homepage
Back to Energy & Utilities