Brussels, Belgium. European Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen reiterated the European Union’s support for the Great Sea Interconnector linking Cyprus, Greece and Israel, and warned against plans for a separate interconnector linking Cyprus and Turkey via the north.
EU position on Cyprus settlement and regional stability
In a statement published Monday, Jorgensen said the EU remains committed to defending its interests and those of its member states, as well as to upholding regional stability. He added that the EU remains fully committed to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue within the United Nations framework.
Commission concerns and Entso-E planning
Jorgensen said the European Commission last year expressed concerns about an electricity interconnection project between Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot community in its annual report on Turkey. He also said the European network of transmission system operators for electricity (Entso-E) has not included plans for a cable linking Turkey and Cyprus in its ten-year development plan.
Contacts with Teias and consent requirements
He said the commission is not aware of any contacts between Entso-E and Turkey’s transmission system operator, Teias, on the potential project, and that it will continue to pay highest attention to the matter. He added that under Teias’ observer membership agreement with Entso-E, Teias committed to ensure cooperation with all European transmission system operators at pan-European, regional and bilateral levels.
Jorgensen said fulfilling this requirement entails that developing any type of interconnection is done with the consent of the transmission system operator certified for Cyprus under EU law.
EU funding and project status
He said plans for a cable linking Turkey and Cyprus do not have project of mutual interest status and cannot benefit from EU funding. He said the commission supports an electricity interconnection between Greece and the island of Cyprus through the Great Sea Interconnector, which has project of common interest status and a €657 million grant.
Entso-E response
The comments followed Entso-E’s statement last month rejecting suggestions it may include plans for a cable linking Cyprus and Turkey in its continent-wide ten-year development plan, saying the Great Sea Interconnector is the only interconnector project connecting the Republic of Cyprus in its plans.
What impact could EU project status and funding eligibility have on future interconnector proposals involving Cyprus?