The sections between Israel to Cyprus and Crete to mainland Greece would be about 310 kilometers in length.Īccording to the Israel's Energy Ministry, the subsea electricity cable would be the longest and deepest to ever be constructed, with a length of 1,500 km (930 miles) and a maximum depth of 2,700 meters. The longest section would be between Cyprus and the Greek island of Crete at about 900 kilometers (560 miles). The cable will cover three sections of the Mediterranean. In addition to the cable, the three countries have forced a regional energy alliance which also aims to explore and exploit natural gas resources. It would allow Israel 'to receive electricity backing from the power grids of the European continent in times of emergency', said Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz. Israel sees the cable as a back-up power source. The island is the only non-interconnected EU member state. The agreement marked a 'decisive step towards ending the island's energy isolation, and consequently, our dependence on heavy fuels,' said Cypriot Energy Minister Natasa Pilides. The 'project of common interests' should help integrate renewable sources, and increase energy independence and interconnection, said the three energy ministers from each country.Įach country benefits from the 2,000 megawatt highway. The €760 million ($900 million) Euro-Asia interconnector project - partly financed by the European Union - should connect Cyprus into the European power network for the first time, as well as Israel. Support for the so-called East Med pipeline project has waned amid questions over its feasibility as well as its adverse impact on the environment.Īnastasiades said last week that studies on the pipeline’s feasibility were still ongoing, but other alternatives are open to get gas to markets.Īmong the more likely options is to convey Cypriot gas to Egyptian processing plants where it would be liquefied for export by ship.Cyprus, Greece, and Israel pledged on Monday to build the world's longest undersea power cable and link their electricity grids. The move toward an electricity cable link appears to have supplanted plans for a potential pipeline connection between the three countries to convey gas from existing and potential deposits off Cyprus and Egypt to Europe through Greece.

The cable’s first phase is expected to be completed by 2025. The agreement aimed to expedite permits and approvals for feasibility studies and to help the three countries’ national electricity coordinators cooperate on how best to move forward. Pilides and her Greek and Israeli counterparts signed an agreement last October to speed up technical work on the cable dubbed the “Eurasia Interconnector.” Pilides said a study shows that the cable in combination with power storage facilities could push Cyprus’ use of renewable energy sources above 50% by 2030. With the cable’s completion, it’s expected that more investment will flow into renewable sources enhancing the energy mix of Greece, Cyprus and Israel. “This is a significant landmark regarding the three countries’ strategic choices which upgrades the region’s energy goals,” the statement said. The minister said beyond the project’s geopolitical weight, it will ensure Cyprus’ energy security, boost competitiveness in the power supply sector and help the island nation more easily transition to a green economy.Ĭypriot President Nicos Anastasiades said in a statement that the cable “tangibly underscores the significance of the three-way cooperation between Cyprus, Greece and Israel.”

Israel greece to link power grids