Greece–Cyprus power cable surveys set to resume after October

French cable contractor NEXANS SA has applied to Greece's Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a NAVTEX notice authorising the resumption of seabed surveys for the Crete–Cyprus electricity interconnector. The request triggers a formal review by the Interministerial Committee for Marine Research Permits, which will recommend a decision to Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis.

In parallel, Next Geosolutions Europe SA has sought a Coast Guard exemption for the French-flagged research vessel ABEILLE MARENGO to operate in Greek territorial waters. The application covers oceanographic and bathymetric work between the Korakia area off Heraklion, Crete, and Cypriot waters.

“The surveys will test on the ground whether the understanding Paris has sought to reach with Turkey in recent weeks will allow the work to proceed without obstruction.”

Officials expect the administrative process to take at least two weeks, pushing the restart of fieldwork to after the end of October. The exemption filing states there is no change to the previously approved cable route or the project timeline targeting completion by 31 December 2026, unless an extension is requested.

The Great Sea Interconnector aims to link the Greek and Cypriot power grids via a subsea cable. The upcoming surveys will test whether recent diplomatic understandings between Paris and Ankara allow the work to proceed without obstruction in contested eastern Mediterranean waters.