Nicosia, Cyprus. European Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen said the European Commission will provide “strong political and technical support” for the Great Sea Interconnector. He said he remains in contact with counterparts in Cyprus and Greece.
Commission support and engagement
Jorgensen told the Cyprus News Agency that the commission will continue to provide strong political support in close cooperation with Greece and Cyprus. He said this will include dedicated events and high-level discussions, as well as additional engagement on geopolitical issues.
Cyprus and the EU energy grid
Jorgensen said Cyprus is currently the only European Union member state not connected to the continent’s interconnected energy grid. He said this limits Cyprus’ integration into the internal energy market and makes it difficult to integrate renewable energy sources.
Project context and strategic importance
Jorgensen said the project’s progress has been affected by a complex geopolitical context, with implications for timetables and costs. He said the interconnector is strategic and requires full cooperation and coordination between the member states involved.
Planned links and political contacts
If completed, the Great Sea Interconnector will link the energy grids of Cyprus, Greece, and Israel. President Nikos Christodoulides has been in contact with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the project.
Cable delivery schedule and completion timeline
Earlier this month, Nexans, the French company contracted to manufacture the project’s cables, formally acknowledged that the delivery schedule is being renegotiated. The renegotiation is pushing the planned completion date into the next decade.
Government positions
Cypriot Energy Minister Michael Damianos last month said the project “will not collapse.” Attention has focused on the interconnection of Cyprus and Greece, with the two governments appearing to have been at odds in recent months, though Damianos said they now have “a common line on this specific issue.”
What impact could delays to the Great Sea Interconnector have on Cyprus’ integration into the EU energy market?
