Cyprus will not be bypassed by the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI), the Cypriot energy minister, Michalis Damianos, insisted on Sunday, responding to press reports that alternative routes could leave the island out of the major electricity project.
“GSI will definitely pass through Cyprus,” Damianos said, adding that both the Cyprus-Crete and Cyprus-Israel sections would proceed as planned.
His comments followed a Kathimerini report outlining concerns that Israel could eventually be connected directly to Crete and therefore Europe if Nicosia’s reservations over the project are not resolved.
Damianos said, “Everything is running normally,” although several important questions remain unanswered, including the project’s final price, how additional costs will be covered, and how much Cypriot households will ultimately pay.
GSI is designed to connect Cyprus to the European electricity grid through a long undersea cable to Crete, with a separate section planned between Cyprus and Israel. Supporters say it would end Cyprus’ energy isolation and allow electricity to be imported or exported when needed.
