GreekReporter.com Greek News - Fears of Renewed Greece-Turkey Tension Over Electricity Link to Cyprus By Tasos Kokkinidis April 11, 2025

 GreekReporter.com  Greek News

Fears of Renewed Greece-Turkey Tension Over Electricity Link to Cyprus

By

Tasos Kokkinidis

April 11, 2025

Greece Turkey electricity link

Greece conceded that tensions could arise with Turkey. Credit: Video screenshot/YouTube/Musisi Henry

Greece is determined to proceed with the electricity link to Cyprus despite opposition from Turkey in a move that may create renewed tension in the eastern Mediterranean.

Greek power grid operator IPTO is building the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI) cable, which will link Europe’s transmission networks to Cyprus in a €1.9 billion project and later stretch to Israel through the Mediterranean Sea.

Connecting Kofinou, Cyprus to Hadera, Israel and Korakias, Crete, Greece, the GSI is a major Project of Common Interest (PCI) of the European Union and a priority Electricity Highway Interconnector Project as an energy highway bridging Asia and Europe.

Why Turkey opposes the Greece-Cyprus electricity link

Turkey claims that the electricity link violates its rights, according to a memorandum on maritime zones signed with a provisional Libyan government (GNA). Athens considers this memorandum illegitimate.

Turkey has repeatedly opposed the project, with sources from the Turkish Ministry of Defense calling the planned activities “provocative” and accusing Greece and Cyprus of proceeding without Turkey’s consent. The sources added that these efforts, driven by what they called “maximalist ambitions,” are ill-conceived and lack the necessary resources.

Grecian Delight supports Greece

In response, Greece has chosen a more cautious approach, focusing on gradual steps while managing the surrounding international pressures.

Greece has firmly stated that the project will proceed, but has kept the timeline for resuming research operations under wraps amid increasing pressure from Turkey.

Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis acknowledged the uncertainty around the timeline for the resumption of the research, stating at the Delphi Forum: “The research and cable laying will resume at the appropriate time. There has never been a fixed date for this. We will proceed as necessary, when the time is right.”

Responding to questions about potential repeat scenarios similar to last year’s tensions off Kasos Island, he said, “We have scenarios for all possible outcomes, so we are fully prepared.”

The dispute traces back to July 2024, when Turkish warships halted research activities south of Kasos. Subsequent Turkish naval maneuvers in November and February further underscored Ankara’s opposition.

Greece acknowledges that tensions could arise with Turkey

Speaking to Parapolitika radio, Gerapetritis also conceded that tensions could arise with Turkey, “since the project involves exploration and cable-laying in maritime zones that have not been officially delimited, and where Turkey has made competing claims.” However, “there is absolutely no cause for concern,” he added.

The Italian research vessel NG Worker, which is set to carry out surveys for the project, is expected to arrive in Iraklio, Crete, by Monday, April 14. However, the issuance of a Navtex (navigational warning) for the operation has been delayed, reflecting the sensitivity of the situation, which is further complicated by escalating rhetoric from Ankara.

France has also reaffirmed its support for the project. The aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, which is scheduled to arrive near Piraeus on Friday, was spotted as close as 20 nautical miles south of Kasos on Thursday, underscoring France’s commitment to the initiative. Meanwhile, the Turkish presence in the region is discreet.

Related: Cyprus-Crete Power Connection in Doubt After Greece Suspends Payments