Greece advances Cyprus power link, grants permits for surveys and cable works

Greece Finalizes Permits for Cyprus Power Link and Undersea Cable Project

Completion of Licensing Procedures for the Great Sea Interconnector

Overview of the Project and Recent Developments

Nov 6 (Reuters) - Greece has completed the licensing procedures required for survey and cable-laying work linked to the planned Great Sea Interconnector, the country's foreign ministry said on Friday, advancing a long-delayed project opposed by Turkey.

Permit Application and Approval Process

The ministry said Greek authorities had finalized the approval process after French cable maker Nexans, acting on behalf of project company GSI, applied for permits covering seabed surveys and cable-laying operations.

Authorisation and NAVTEX Notice

Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis signed the decision authorising the work following a positive recommendation from the inter-ministerial committee responsible for marine research permits, the ministry said. A research vessel involved in the project subsequently requested and received a NAVTEX notice to mariners for the operations.

Project Details and Regional Disputes

The €1.9 billion ($2.1 billion) project, being developed by Greece's power grid operator IPTO, aims to link the power grids of Greece and Cyprus, and later Israel, through an undersea cable, but progress has been slowed by a dispute between Greece and Turkey over maritime zones in the eastern Mediterranean.

Currency Exchange Rate

($1 = 0.8930 euros)

(Reporting by Antonis Pothitos; Editing by Louise Heavens)