Cyprus government reaffirms commitment to Great Sea Interconnector project

The Great Sea Interconnector (GSI) project, an underwater electricity cable connecting Cyprus with Greece, has entered a critical stage of development following high-level diplomatic engagement. President Nikos Christodoulides officially confirmed the project's progress, signaling a shift away from earlier government hesitation. This move follows the entry of the French investment firm Meridiam as a majority stakeholder, a development considered crucial for the project's financial and geopolitical viability. President Christodoulides and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis have synchronized their efforts, including recent discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron to ensure the initiative's success.

Political tensions surrounding the project remain, with the opposition party DISY criticizing previous government ambiguity and demanding a unified strategy to end Cyprus's energy isolation. DIKO President Nikolas Papadopoulos highlighted the potential economic benefits, citing data suggesting that the island could have saved 184 million euros in one year if the link had been operational. Technical preparations are now underway, including the issuance of new navigational telexes (NAVTEX) for seabed surveys near Kasos. The project aims to end energy isolation, lower consumer electricity costs, and strengthen regional energy security, with further coordination between Nicosia, Athens, and Paris expected to continue.