The most complex power transfer project in Greece, the Crete-Attica electricity interconnector, is fully under way, with the completion of construction and start of testing due at the end of 2024, and commercial operation in the summer of 2025. The work is being carried out by Ariadne Interconnection, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Greece’s Independent Power Transmission Operator (IPTO, or ADMIE in Greek).
The project was the subject of a working meeting held on Wednesday 10th January at the offices of the Cretan Regional Authority. Those present included ADMIE’s CEO Manousos Manousakis and other board members, the Regional Governor of Crete Stavros Arnautakis, and the Deputy Regional Governor for the Environment Nikos Xilouris. The meeting was held to review progress on the electrical interconnection and the necessary accompanying works, as well as on plans for strengthening the Cretan power system, as envisaged in the Operator’s 10-year Development Plan.
The ADMIE management also reported on progress on the Great Sea Interconnector, the electrical connection linking Greece (Crete), Cyprus and Israel, whose starting point is the Converter Station at Damasta, Heraklion. Formerly named the Euro-Asia Interconnector, the project will contribute even further to the island’s energy security and strengthen its geopolitical situation in the Eastern Mediterranean.
As Mr Manousakis stated: “The Crete-Attica electrical interconnection will go into commercial operation in the summer of 2025. The quality of electrical supply services has already been significantly increased with the commissioning of the so-called ‘small’ interconnection with the Peloponnese. Conventional generating units are being shut down and even more will close with the completion of the big interconnector, which will unlock significant environmental and financial benefits.”
Site visit to transformer station
On the following day there was a site visit to the Converter Station at Damasta by the Operations Director of Ariadne Interconnection Angelos Stamatelos and its Director of New Transmission Projects Michalis Hatzipanos, accompanied by the Deputy Regional Governor Nikos Xilouris and the mayor of Malevizi Menelaos Bokeas, who were given a report on the progress of the works.
The main buildings of the Converter Station are nearing completion. Very shortly the work will start of transporting and installing the transformers and converter valves for switching from direct to alternating current, as well as the works for the overhead power lines which will connect the station with the National Grid. Construction of the 150kV GIS (Gas Insulated Substation) is proceeding at a fast rate, as well as the ancillary buildings and landscaping of the outer areas.
The completion of the project, along with the “small” Crete-Peloponnese interconnector, which has been operating without a break since the summer of 2021, will lift the island’s energy isolation and ensure its energy security without the use of conventional generating units, thus reducing the cost of energy production and improving the environmental footprint and the quality of the electrical power supply.
Finally, the island will become an energy hub with the future extension of the interconnection to Cyprus and Israel, and the bases are being laid for its further “green” development with the potential for installed capacity of the order of 2.5 GW through terrestrial and offshore alternative energy sources.
(ADMIE)
The Great Sea Interconnector
From Balkan Green Energy News, 25th December 2023:
“Six months after assuming the role of project promoter … IPTO (or ADMIE in Greek) announced that the construction of the cable section of the Great Sea Interconnector has commenced. The partners recently changed its name from EuroAsia Interconnector.
“The proposed 1,208-kilometre high-voltage direct current (HVDC) link between Greece and Israel via Cyprus would currently be the longest in the world. The first part to be installed is between Crete and Cyprus, with a length of 898 kilometres, the statement adds. It is envisaged to have another 25 kilometres on land.
“The mass impregnated 525 kV cable between the two islands is officially planned to be commissioned in 2028, but it was affected by delays over the past few years. In fact, Greek, Cypriot and European Union officials declared the start of works more than one year ago.
“The Great Sea Interconnector is seen with 1 GW in capacity and a possibility to double it. The current phase is estimated at €1.57 billion including the largest-ever grant through the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility so far – €657 million.”