Great Sea Interconnector faces delays over Cyprus regulatory issues

The Great Sea Interconnector (GSI) project, designed to link the electricity grids of Greece and Cyprus, faces delays due to pending regulatory decisions in Nicosia. A total of 50 million euros remains outstanding for the years 2024 and 2025 regarding electricity transmission system usage fees, as part of a 2024 intergovernmental agreement.

While Turkey has requested updates regarding works in the region's maritime waters, technical planning continues. Involved parties, including ADMIE, Nexans, and Meridiaan, are coordinating the next phase. There is a preference for using a specialized vessel from a French company for seabed surveys in international waters, rather than the Italian vessel used for previous surveys near Kasos.

If the financial and regulatory issues in Cyprus are resolved, companies intend to request a NAVTEX for October to begin maritime surveys. While surveys have been completed within the territorial waters of Greece and Cyprus, research in international waters east of Kasos and west of Cyprus is still required.