Nicosia, Cyprus. The governments of Cyprus and Lebanon and the World Bank have agreed to prepare a preliminary feasibility study on a possible electricity grid interconnection between the two countries.
Cypriot Energy Minister Michael Damianos and Lebanese Energy Minister Joseph Al-Saddi said the agreement marks an important milestone in bilateral cooperation.
Phased assessment
The ministers said the initiative aims to explore opportunities to strengthen regional energy connectivity, enhance energy security and promote sustainable economic development in the eastern Mediterranean.
They endorsed the World Bank’s proposed phased methodology for the study. The first stage will assess the balance between electricity supply and demand and conduct a high-level economic analysis under agreed scenarios.
Subject to positive findings, the process will proceed to a detailed techno-economic prefeasibility assessment. The ministers said the sequential approach would support informed decision-making at each stage and ensure later analyses are based on robust technical and economic evidence.
Technical committee
Cyprus and Lebanon will establish a joint steering technical committee to oversee the project and work closely with the World Bank.
The two governments expressed appreciation for the World Bank’s continued support and contribution to the initiative. The ministers said they expect the prefeasibility assessment to provide a basis for evaluating the viability of an electricity interconnection and support wider regional energy cooperation in the eastern Mediterranean.
