According to Reuters, Cyprus has confirmed its support for the ambitious multi-billion-euro electric transmission project that aims to link Europe and the Middle East. Known as the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI), this initiative will connect the power grids of Greece, Cyprus, and eventually Israel. The project is projected to cost €2.4 billion ($2.7 billion), with Cyprus’s contribution estimated at €1.9 billion.
The Cypriot government approved the project’s support during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, though the specifics of Cyprus’s involvement will be determined later. Energy Minister George Papanastasiou is expected to provide further details in a forthcoming announcement.
Once completed, the GSI will be the world’s longest and deepest high-voltage direct current (HVDC) interconnector, spanning 1,240 kilometers and reaching depths of 3,000 meters. The European Union has indicated its willingness to finance part of the project, which is anticipated to be finished around 2030.
However, the project intersects with complex geopolitical issues, particularly concerning overlapping territorial claims in the Mediterranean. The potential opposition from Turkey poses a significant challenge. Turkey has historically contested certain maritime areas claimed by Greece and Cyprus, arguing that prior consent is required for such projects. Despite these claims, experts suggest that Turkey’s legal arguments may not hold strong internationally, but geopolitical tensions and military posturing could still impact the project.
In June, Turkey’s naval forces monitored a ship conducting cable-related surveys near a Greek island and have previously obstructed gas survey vessels offshore Cyprus. These geopolitical dynamics underscore the delicate balance that Cyprus and its partners must navigate as they advance this major energy infrastructure project.
