A 1 GW Direct Current (DC) transmission line that connects the mainland of Greece with Crete has entered into test operation, with full commercial service expected to support new green power capacity and future mutual connections with Cyprus, Israel and Egypt.
The independent power transmission operator of Greece (IPTO) has revealed that a new grid line that connects the mainland of Greece started working with Crete on 24 May.
The line consists of two 500 kV Direct electricity (DC) Substitute cables, each 335 km long and laid on depths of up to 1,200 meters, which connects the converter station in Koumoundouros, Attica, with the Damasta substation in Crete. Together the cables offer 1 GW total transmission capacity.
Ariadne Interconnection, an IPTO subsidiary company founded for the project, developed and possesses the Grid Line. In November 2024, China’s State Grid International Development Ltd., a complete subsidiary of State Grid Corp., acquired an interest of 20% in Ariadne interconnection.
The Ariadne interconnection has strategic significance for Greece and regional energy networks.
Integrating Crete in mainland mainland Greece will free approximately 2.5 GW new renewable current capacity. Crete will also gradually gradually be gradually used by their accounts by their accounts, such as diesel stations, such as diesel stations, to guarantee the capacity of power and compensated by electricity consumers. As a result, IPTO said that the new line will lower these costs, leading to lower electricity accounts in Greece.
The project will also have a significant impact on the environment, which reduces the emission of carbon dioxide by more than 400,000 tons in the first year of operation by more than 400,000 tons.
Internationally, the new grower line is a broader meaning, because Crete is expected to serve as the starting point for two Planned submarine lines: One links Crete to Cyprus and Israel, and another connects Crete with Egypt.
Ipto said the project was completed in record time. The subsidiary of Ariadne Interconnection was founded in 2018 and the construction lasted only 4.5 years. For comparison: IPTO said that comparable projects of European grid operators have taken more than seven years to complete.
The Attica-Crete Grid Line cost € 1.1 billion ($ 1.24 billion) and received joint financing from the European Union and domestic sources.
The new Attica -Krete Direct Current (DC) connection distinguishes itself from a separate submarine connection of 174 km from the Peloponnese peninsula For Crete, completed in 2021. That project connected Crete with the mainland Greece via a line with 2 × 200 megavolt-amperes (MVA) transport capacity.
The Ariadne interconnection marks the first high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cable system of Greece. IPTO is planning to apply the experience gained to develop a second HVDC link that integrates the Dodecanese islands into the mainland high -voltage schedule.
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