Crete Connects to Mainland Greece’s Electricity Supply

Greece announced on Wednesday the completion of the construction of an electricity interconnection between Crete and the Peloponnese which will provide the island with a cheaper and more secure energy supply.

The mammoth project included laying two new submarine cables – each 135 km (83.8 miles) long – making this the longest undersea a/c connection in the world.

Greek Minister for Environment and Energy Kostis Hatzidakis hailed the completion of the project, saying that “Greeks should be proud of the achievement.”

Σήμερα ηλεκτρίστηκε το μεγαλύτερο υποβρύχιο καλώδιο εναλλασσόμενου ρεύματος παγκοσμίως. Έγινε στην Ελλάδα. Είναι η υποθαλάσσια ηλεκτρική διασύνδεση Πελοποννήσου-Κρήτης. Ως Έλληνες πρέπει να είμαστε περήφανοι. pic.twitter.com/wd4GNa8RXz

— Kostis Hatzidakis (@K_Hatzidakis) December 23, 2020

Additional work included upgrading and construction of transmission lines, underground cables and substations on Crete and on the mainland.

The connection points for the submarine cables are at Kissamos Bay in Crete and the Malea peninsula in Peloponnese.

The cables run overhead, underground and in the sea. The works also included the construction of a synchronous compensator, a motor that is used to maintain a constant grid voltage, in Crete.

The aim of the project is to cut the cost of electricity generation in Crete by replacing expensive and polluting oil-fired units with a more efficient alternative from across the Ionian Sea.

The new link contributes to an increase in electricity generated from renewable sources for use by the island’s residents and businesses. The interconnector will provide around 34% of Crete’s total electricity demand in 2021.