Wedoany.com Report-May 23, Greece’s largest electricity transmission project, the Crete-Attica electrical interconnection, has achieved significant progress, according to the Independent Power Transmission Operator (IPTO or ADMIE). With a budget exceeding €1.1 billion, the project reached completion in late 2024 and is now approaching its official operational start.

Managed by IPTO’s subsidiary, Ariadne Interconnection, the subsea cable system began trial operations approximately ten days ago. The interconnection links the Attica region on the Greek mainland to Heraklion in Crete. Nexans supplied one 500 MW high-voltage direct current (HVDC) subsea cable system for half of the bipole interconnection, while Prysmian provided the other half and two subsea telecom links.

On May 21, 2025, IPTO announced that the project’s converter stations were energized for the first time, with reactive power from the converters integrated into the electrical systems of both Attica and Crete. These milestones, achieved after extensive testing, indicate that the interconnection is on track to be fully operational by the end of May 2025, enabling active power transfer between the two regions.

The Crete-Attica link, with a capacity of 1,000 MW, is among the world’s three deepest interconnections and leads in power transfer capacity for island systems. It enhances energy security for Crete and is expected to reduce annual CO2 emissions by 500,000 tons. The project is co-funded by the Operational Programme “Transport Infrastructure, Environment and Sustainable Development” (NSRF 2014–2020) and the “Environment and Climate Change” program of NSRF 2021–2027, with a contribution of up to €535.5 million.

This interconnection strengthens Greece’s energy infrastructure, supports sustainable energy goals, and ensures reliable power supply to Crete, contributing to both environmental and economic benefits.