A New Chapter for Greece’s Energy Security and Green Transition
The trial operation of the Attica-Crete electrical interconnection, a significant high-voltage direct current (HVDC) project developed by Ariadne Interconnection, a subsidiary of IPTO, successfully commenced on Saturday, May 24.
This trial phase will continue throughout the summer, integrating Crete into the National Electricity System.
This project represents a landmark achievement for the country’s Electricity Transmission System. As Greece’s first extra-high voltage direct current interconnection, it breaks the electrical isolation of the largest island, transforming it into a strategic energy hub with both environmental and economic advantages.
Crete’s first interconnection, established in 2021 with the Peloponnese using alternating current technology, has now been enhanced with this new line. This development improves the island’s energy resilience, fully integrates it into the national grid, and optimizes the use of Renewable Energy Sources.
The 1 GW project, costing 1.1 billion euros, features 500 kV submarine cables buried up to 1,200 meters deep—among the deepest interconnections globally—and employs state-of-the-art VSC technology at the Converter Stations. Contracts were awarded to prominent international and Greek firms, including Siemens, TERNA, Nexans, Prysmian, NKT, and Hellenic Cables.
Accomplished in Record Time
The construction was completed in a remarkable 4.5 years, while similar European projects typically take over seven years. This achievement was made despite the challenges posed by the pandemic and disruptions in the global supply chain.
Minister of Environment and Energy Stavros Papastavrou remarked: “We are marking a new era on Greece’s energy landscape. The underwater energy connection between Crete and the mainland represents a national success and a major technological advancement. Crete will now play a vital role in the energy transition, enhancing Greece’s strategic position in the Eastern Mediterranean.”
IPTO President and CEO Manos Manousakis described it as a “technical achievement” and a “long-held vision that has now been realized.”
“The connection of Crete with Attica, a vision decades in the making, has been brought to fruition by IPTO and our subsidiary Ariadne Interconnection. This interconnection’s operation marks a new era for the island’s energy security. It is a technical triumph that places the Operator at the forefront of complex, high-tech electricity transmission projects globally. In addition to the construction, the operation faced substantial challenges, as tests were conducted under conditions of high Renewable Energy Source penetration, ensuring the utmost safety of the electrical system. The successful execution of this project and the expertise we have gained bolster our confidence for future domestic and international electrical interconnections,” he stated.
