Greece completes undersea power link to Crete
A 330 km undersea cable now links mainland Greece to Crete, forming part of a broader €1 B plan to extend energy connections to Cyprus and Israel by decade’s end.
Image for illustrative purposes
Greece: Greece has announced the completion of an undersea power connection between the mainland and Crete, marking a major milestone in its long-term grid expansion strategy.
The €1 B Great Sea Interconnector project spans 330 km and was activated on 24 May. It is expected to become fully operational this summer, according to Greece’s Independent Power Transmission Operator (IPTO).
Largely funded by the European Union through a mix of grants and loans, the interconnection is designed to improve energy diversification across the region, especially in the wake of geopolitical instability triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The project sets the foundation for broader plans to extend the power grid to Cyprus and Israel by the end of the decade, positioning Greece as a central player in the Eastern Mediterranean’s evolving energy landscape.
Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou described Crete as a “key pillar” in Greece’s green transition. The new connection supports the island’s shift away from fossil fuel-based energy toward renewable sources.
Despite progress, the larger regional interconnection vision faces hurdles, including funding disputes and maritime tensions with Turkey. Meanwhile, a separate Greece – Egypt cable link is also being explored, which would bypass Crete entirely.
Laid at depths reaching 1,200 m, the Crete cables support 1,000 MW using HVDC technology. The work was carried out under IPTO’s oversight, with contributions from Siemens Energy, TERNA, and Prysmian Group.
Source: Euro News
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