Abu Dhabi's TAQA might join Greece-Cyprus power project

Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PJSC (TAQA), one of the largest listed integrated utility companies in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore the possibility of becoming one of the shareholders in a project to develop a 900km high-voltage direct current (HVDC) electricity interconnection between Greece and Cyprus.

Under the terms of the MoU, TAQA will explore joining Greece’s transmission system operator, Independent Power Transmission Operation of Greece (IPTO), and the Cyprus Government as shareholders in a project whose construction is expected to cost approximately €1.9 billion, TAQA said in a press release.

To mark the occasion, a signing ceremony was held at the 28th United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the UNFCCC in Dubai, in the presence of Minister of Energy, Commerce, and Industry George Papanastasiou, Manos Manousakis, President and CEO of IPTO, and Jasim Husain Thabet, TAQA’s Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director.

The Project in question, formerly known as the EuroAsia Interconnector before being renamed to the Great Sea Interconnector, is expected to terminate Cyprus’ energy isolation, increase energy security in the Eastern Mediterranean and encourage the development and export of clean energy to both Cyprus, Greece and the rest of the EU.

“Cyprus has significant green energy export potential with the country investing heavily in the flow of clean energy between neighbouring countries and regions,” TAQA said. “Cyprus and Greece have some of the highest potential for renewable energy in Europe for both solar and onshore and offshore wind power generation, making the two countries ideal locations for a project of this kind.”

George Papanastasiou, Minister of Energy, Commerce, and Industry of the Republic of Cyprus, stated: “The Government of Cyprus welcomes the signing of today’s MoU with IPTO and TAQA, which constitutes an additional, pivotal milestone towards the realisation of the electricity interconnection between Cyprus and Greece. As an EU Project of Common Interest, which has already been approved for a 657 million euro grant from the “Connecting Europe Facility”, the interconnection is of crucial importance to Cyprus as its construction will lift our island’s ongoing energy isolation. The project is also key to reaching Cyprus’ wider energy strategy goals of fortifying its energy security, reducing the cost of electricity for the benefit of our economy’s competitiveness, as well as expediting our green transition. The Republic of Cyprus, which is now assessing its own active participation to the project, as shareholder, is confident that the strategic involvement of distinguished and experienced entities such as IPTO and now TAQA, can ensure its timely completion and enhance further the cooperation between Cyprus, Greece and the United Arab Emirates.”

Manos Manousakis, President and Chief Executive Officer of IPTO, stressed: “The agreement that we have signed reflects the high investor interest for the project promoted by IPTO that will be known from now on as the Great Sea Interconnector. The interconnection between Greece and Cyprus, which is the most mature segment, is entering construction phase, beginning from the subsea cable, which will be built by Nexans. We are very much looking forward to a close and fruitful cooperation with all stakeholders in order to expedite a project of strategic importance which enhances the energy security and the green transition in the Eastern Mediterranean, bringing the region closer to the electricity system of Europe”.

Jasim Husain Thabet, Group Chief Executive Officer of TAQA, said: “TAQA is pleased to announce its involvement in another transformative project which will increase energy security and accelerate the deployment of clean energy in the Eastern Mediterranean. As a low-carbon power and water champion, TAQA is committed to investing in the transmission infrastructure needed for the energy transition, enabling decarbonisation and ensuring energy security. HVDC projects are vital to connect clean energy projects to the end users, and we are ambitiously accelerating investment and growth in our infrastructure business to help our stakeholders scale up their clean energy to meet the growing demand for secure, reliable and sustainable power.”

The interconnection project between Greece and Cyprus is in an advanced stage, with feasibility studies completed, and contracts for two major engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) components have been reserved. In July 2023, NEXANS was awarded a €1.43 billion contract for the HVDC cables contract. Furthermore, Siemens AG was appointed as the preferred bidder for the contract to build the two VSC HVDC converter stations for the project.

IPTO who is the promoter of the project is implementing a €5 billion development programme by the end of the decade, which includes not only a series of island interconnections within Greece, but also a series of cross-border interconnections that act as a catalyst for the energy transition.

(Source & Photo: taqa.com)