Independent Power Transmission Operator: The interconnection of the Western and Southern Cyclades is in the process of implementation

The electricity interconnection of the Western and Southern Cyclades is the next big bet of the Independent Power Transmission Operator (IPTO) and the government in the big project of removing the energy isolation of the islands through the mainland electricity transmission system.

In fact, during yesterday’s event at the Ancient Agora of Athens with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the participation of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to approve the Greek recovery plan, the specific project worth 408 million euros was presented by the Minister Costas Skrekas and Secretary General for Energy Alexandra Sdoukou and the CEO of IPTO Manousos Manousakis as one of the emblematic projects included in the Community funding.

The resources amount to 170 million euros and the connection of Naxos with Santorini, of Santorini with Folegandros, of Folegandros with Milos, of Milos with Serifos and of Serifos with Lavrio is foreseen.

Thus, the islands of the Western and Southern Cyclades have an energy buttress as on the one hand they are interconnected with the National Electricity Transmission System from the side of Lavrio but also from the side of Naxos which is already “connected” with Mykonos and the other islands (A, B and C phases of interconnection of the Cyclades).

According to information, at the end of the month, IPTO will be able to announce the contractors of the tenders for the part of Naxos – Santorini and specifically for the budget substation worth 26.2 million euros and the cables worth 100 million euros. Tenders for the interconnections of the other islands and the other three substations are expected to be announced in the autumn. The length of the underground and submarine power lines is 370 km. The four stations in total will be built in Santorini, Folegandros, Milos, and Serifos.

The project of the Western and Southern Cyclades creates additional space for RES systems with a total capacity of 100 MW. Together with the rest of the Cyclades and their interconnections, the network will be able to raise a total of RES projects with a total capacity of 332 MW. The interconnection of Naxos – Santorini will be completed in 2023 and the whole project in 2024.

With the interconnection of the Cyclades, it is now possible to decommission the local oil power stations.

In addition, CO2 emissions are reduced by around 100,000 tonnes per year starting in 2025 and by 120,000 tonnes per year by 2030.