The Great Sea Interconnector project, aimed at linking the energy grids of Greece, Cyprus, and Israel, is set to proceed, as confirmed by Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis.
- The Great Sea Interconnector project, aimed at linking the energy grids of Greece, Cyprus, and Israel, is set to proceed, as confirmed by Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis.
In an interview with Open television on Monday night, Gerapetritis stated, “The laying of the electricity interconnection between Greece and Cyprus and ultimately Israel is a European programme.” He assured viewers that the necessary surveys would continue as planned in the coming months.
When questioned about the potential issuance of a Navtex, an international maritime notification, for the surveys amidst concerns regarding Turkey’s reaction, Gerapetritis expressed confidence, saying, “There is absolutely no reason for concern.” He underscored that the Greek government views the laying of electrical cables as protected by international law, stating, “If Turkey, which aspires to become a member of the European Union, considers that it should prevent a European project, it will pay the price.”
Gerapetritis reiterated Greece’s commitment to safeguarding its sovereign rights, indicating readiness to act if Turkey were to deploy frigates in the survey areas. “All potential scenarios are ready. Greece is not going to abandon any right it has according to international law,” he affirmed.
This strong stance reflects Greece’s broader strategy to enhance its geopolitical position in the Mediterranean. Gerapetritis noted that Greece is in a significantly stronger position now compared to two years ago.
His comments follow recent remarks from Cypriot Finance Minister Makis Keravnos, who highlighted that two independent studies had deemed the Great Sea Interconnector project “not sustainable.” Keravnos attributed the limited progress on the project to Turkey’s presence in the region, stating that the degree of implementation is “directly linked to geopolitical risk.”
Keravnos pointed out that the geopolitical challenges were anticipated from the outset, but have now become a primary obstacle to progress. “It is Turkey’s intervention, to speak very seriously and clearly, which does not allow for the seabed surveys to be completed and for the interconnection to proceed,” he explained.
Earlier this year, Greek newspaper Kathimerini reported that Greece’s independent transmission system operator, Admie, had devised a contingency plan to build an electricity interconnector to the Dodecanese islands instead of Cyprus, citing financial and geopolitical hurdles faced by the Great Sea Interconnector project. The report indicated that Admie and French technology firm Nexans were exploring alternative plans to mitigate the risks associated with ongoing uncertainties.
There are concerns that if the project is ultimately halted due to geopolitical risks, the financial burden will be shared equally between Greece and Cyprus. However, the Greek government appears hesitant to publicly acknowledge that these geopolitical risks, particularly from Turkey, could lead to the project’s cancellation.
Despite these challenges, Nexans has already manufactured 160 kilometres of cables for the interconnector. However, reports have emerged that Admie temporarily suspended payments to Nexans earlier this year due to concerns over the project’s viability in light of Turkish military activities disrupting seabed surveys.
Energy Minister George Papanastasiou described the suspension of payments as understandable, citing the “technical, fiscal, and geopolitical risks inherent to the project.” He confirmed that this decision followed incidents involving Turkish warships that reportedly disrupted the necessary surveys.
