Skip to main content

The largest grid interconnector project in history just took a big leap forward

The EuroAsia grid interconnector – the longest and deepest in the world – will connect Greece, Israel, and Cyprus. 

EuroAsia’s 525kV high voltage direct current (HVDC) subsea cable will be the world’s longest – it will run 310 km (190 miles) from Israel to Cyprus, and 898 km (558 miles) from Cyprus to Greece, for a total of 1,208 km (751 miles). That’s the same distance as between St. Petersburg and Berlin.

It will also be the world’s deepest grid interconnector: It will run across the Mediterranean Sea floor, with its lowest sub-sea point reaching depths of over 3,000 meters (9,843 feet).

The EuroAsia Interconnector will exchange up to 1,000 megawatts (MW) among the three countries and will be capable of increasing to 2,000 MW. That’s the equivalent of the electricity consumption of 3 million households.

The historic project will end the energy isolation of Cyprus and Israel, creating security supply and an energy highway between Europe and Asia. Pole One is expected to be completed in 2028, and Pole Two in 2029.

The section of the project that connects Greece and Cyprus just took another big step forward: Paris-based cable maker Nexans has been awarded the major turnkey contract valued at €1.43 billion.

Nexans will manufacture subsea HVDC Mass Impregnated cables in its factories in Halden (Norway) and Futtsu (Japan), and it will install them with its custom-made cable-laying vessels, Nexans Aurora (below) and Nexans Skagerrak.

Nasos Ktorides, CEO of EuroAsia Interconnector, said:

We are proud that after 12 years of hard work, the world’s longest and deepest subsea HVDC electricity interconnector built by Nexans will put Cyprus on the world energy map, while also ending the energy isolation of Cyprus, the last non-interconnected EU member state, and Israel.

Read more: This subsea cable maker is going to deliver 6 GW of offshore wind energy

Photos: Nexans; Diagram: By QuantumDeveloperTeam – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0


To limit power outages and make your home more resilient, consider going solar with a battery storage system. In order to find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. They have hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and you share your phone number with them.

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisers to help you every step of the way. Get started here.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Stay up to date with the latest content by subscribing to Electrek on Google News. You’re reading Electrek— experts who break news about Tesla, electric vehicles, and green energy, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow Electrek on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our YouTube channel for the latest reviews.

Comments

Author

Avatar for Michelle Lewis Michelle Lewis

Michelle Lewis is a writer and editor on Electrek and an editor on DroneDJ, 9to5Mac, and 9to5Google. She lives in White River Junction, Vermont. She has previously worked for Fast Company, the Guardian, News Deeply, Time, and others. Message Michelle on Twitter or at michelle@9to5mac.com. Check out her personal blog.


Manage push notifications

notification icon
We would like to show you notifications for the latest news and updates.
notification icon
You are subscribed to notifications
notification icon
We would like to show you notifications for the latest news and updates.
notification icon
You are subscribed to notifications