The Crete-Attica power interconnection project officially began operations on Saturday, May 24, marking a major step forward in Greece’s energy infrastructure.
The system, which enables the transmission of direct current electricity, was developed by Ariadne Interconnection, a subsidiary of Greece’s Independent Power Transmission Operator (IPTO). The project is currently in its trial phase, which is expected to continue through the summer months.
IPTO described the launch as a historic milestone for the country’s Electricity Transmission System and for the operator itself. With this development, Greece now has a high-voltage direct current (HVDC) link, fully integrating Crete—the country’s largest island—into the national electricity grid.
Crete’s journey toward energy connectivity began in 2021 with its initial connection to the Peloponnese via alternating current technology. The newly operational second interconnection significantly enhances energy security for the island, effectively ending its electrical isolation.
Combined, the two interconnections transform Crete into a strategic energy hub, offering substantial environmental and economic benefits to both the region and the country as a whole.
The Crete-Attica power link is a technological feat: a 1.1 billion euros investment with a capacity of 1 GW. It uses state-of-the-art Voltage Source Converter (VSC) technology at the converter stations and includes the laying of 500 kV submarine cables at depths of up to 1,200 meters—making it one of the deepest underwater interconnections in the world.
Multiple major international contractors contributed to the construction, including Siemens, TERNA, Nexans, Prysmian, NKT, and Hellenic Cables.
Minister of Environment and Energy, Stavros Papastavrou, commented on the inauguration: “We are entering a new era in Greece’s energy landscape. The operation of the Crete-Attica interconnection is a remarkable technological achievement and a national success. We are moving decisively toward the development of a fully integrated power network, strengthening Greece’s role as a strategic energy hub in the Eastern Mediterranean.”
