Cyprus has announced its support for the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI), a multi-billion euro electric transmission cable project connecting the power grids of Europe to the Middle East. The project aims to link transmission networks from Greece, through Crete and Cyprus, to Israel, with an estimated cost of 2.4 billion euros. Cyprus’s contribution to the project is expected to be around 1.9 billion euros.
The government made the decision to support the project at a cabinet meeting, with the level of Cyprus’s participation to be determined later. The completion of the project, which will be the longest and deepest high voltage direct current (HVDC) interconnector in the world, is slated for around 2030 with potential EU financing.
The GSI project faces challenges due to overlapping jurisdiction claims in the Mediterranean between Greece, Cyprus, and Turkey. Turkey’s opposition could lead to delays and additional costs, but legal expert Harry Tzimitras believes political measures and military power posturing may take precedence over legal processes.
Tensions have already arisen with Turkey sending naval assets to monitor the project progress, highlighting the geopolitical complexities involved in the ambitious interconnector. Despite the challenges, Cyprus remains committed to supporting the GSI project for a more integrated energy network between Europe and the Middle East.
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