EuroAfrica Interconnector

EuroAfrica Interconnector is a HVDC interconnector between Greek, Cypriot, and Egypt power grids via submarine power cable.[1][2][3][4][5] The Interconnector is an energy highway bridging Africa and Europe. It will have a capacity to transmit 2,000 megawatts of electricity in either direction.[1][2] Annual transmission capacity is 17.5 TWh, much more than annual production of Aswan Dam power stations. The President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Mr Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades and the Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic, Mr Kyriakos Mitsotakis, issued a joint declaration at the conclusion of the 7th Trilateral Summit, held in Cairo on October 8, 2019, expressed their desire to continue strengthening their cooperation in matters of energy.[6][7] In this regard, the joint declaration by the three leaders said, “they recognised the importance of establishing an electrical grid between Egypt, Cyprus and Greece, such as the framework agreement between the Egyptian Electricity Holding Company and the Euro Africa Interconnector Company on 22 May 2019.[6][7]

EuroAfrica Interconnector
Map of EuroAfrica Interconnector
Location
Founded2017
HeadquartersNicosia, Cyprus
ServicesElectrical grid,
Electric power transmission
Country Egypt
 Cyprus
 Greece
FromBurullus power plant, Egypt
Passes throughKofinou, Cyprus
ToCrete, Greece
Ownership information
OwnerEuroAfrica Interconnector Ltd.
Key peopleChairman: Ioannis Kasoulidis
CEONasos Ktorides
Project directorGeorge Killas
Construction information
ExpectedCyprus-Greece 2023
Cyprus-Egypt 2022
Technical information
TypeSubmarine power cable
Type of currentHVDC
Total length1,396 km (867 mi)
Power rating2,000 MW
DC voltage±500 kV
No. of poles2
Websitewww.euroafrica-interconnector.com

Technical data

The EuroAfrica Interconnector will link Egypt with Cypriot and Greek power grids through the island of Crete with high-voltage direct current submarine power cable of length around 1,396-kilometre (867 mi).[1][8] Egypt will be connected with Cyprus with 498-kilometre (309 mi) long cable. Cyprus will be connected with the Greek island of Crete with 898-kilometre (558 mi) long cable providing a connection to the pan-European electricity grid.[1] The laying depth of cable will be up to 3,000 metres (9,800 ft) under sea level in some area between Crete and Cyprus. It will have a capacity to transmit 2,000 megawatts of electricity in either direction.[2][1] Annual transmission capacity is 17.5 TWh, much more than annual production of Aswan Dam.

EuroAfrica Interconnector CEO Nasos Ktorides signed historic InterConnector agreement between Egypt and Cyprus in presence of Moustafa Madbouly, the Prime Minister of Egypt, Minister of Electricity and Ioannis Kasoulides, Chairman of the EuroAfrica Strategic Council

Interconnector main components are:

In first stage it will have 1000 MW capacity.[1] It is expected to cost €2.5 billion in first stage.[1] It is expected that first interconnection between Burullus gas power plant in Egypt and Kofinou on Cyprus will be finished in 2022.[1] Longest interconnection between Kofinou on Cyprus and Fodele on Crete will be delivered in 2023.[1]

Energy-sector technical engineering recruitment firm Fircroft included the EuroAfrica Interconnector as the fifth biggest among 10 major transmission and distribution projects in the world for 2019 and beyond.[9] [10]

Support in Egypt, Cyprus and Greece
Nicosia meeting on November 20, 2017. President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi gave full support to CEO EuroAfrica Interconnector Nasos Ktorides

A cooperation agreement was signed in Cairo on February 6, 2017 between the Nasos Ktorides, CEO of project developer EuroAfrica Interconnector, and the Chairman of the Egyptian Electricity Holding Co. (EEHC) Gaber Desouky in presence of Egyptian Minister of Electricity Mohamed Shaker El-Markabi.[3][4] El-Markabi stressed strategic importance of Interconnector for economic development and energy security of Egypt.[3] President of Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sisi asked to be weekly informed on progress of strategically important project.[3] With Interconnector it is expected that Egypt will become energy hub for Africa and also connected to European power grids.[3] Also at same time Cyprus will become energy hub ending its energy isolation and Greece will increase energy importance in Europe.[3]

The President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on meeting with CEO EuroAfrica Interconnector Nasos Ktorides on November 20, 2017. in Nicosia gave full support and commitment for Interconnector implementation.[11][12][13]

President of Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades and the Prime Minister of Greece Alexis Tsipras met in Nicosia on 21 November 2017.[14][15][16] They encouraged and welcomed private sector initiatives of energy infrastructure projects, important for energy security of all three countries such as the EuroAfrica Interconnector.[15][16][13] It is expected it will take at least 18 months to complete studies for project and 3 years will be needed for project implementation.[3] Prime Minister of Greece Alexis Tsipras on December 5, 2017 pointed out EuroAsia Interconnector and EuroAfrica Interconnector as major projects important for economic growth and also geostrategically important for Greece.[17]

Minister of Electricity Mohamed Shaker El-Markabi and CEO EuroAfrica Interconnector Nasos Ktorides on meeting February 26, 2018 in Cairo

Landing points, exact route of cable and the site of the HVDC converter station was approved February 26, 2018 in Cairo on meeting between Egypt's Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mohamed Shaker El-Markabi and CEO EuroAfrica Interconnector Nasos Ktorides.[18] Landing point and converter station in Egypt will be near new highly efficient 4,8 GW Burullus gas power plant, 100 km west of Damietta.[1]

Elia, Belgium’s electricity transmission system operator, has concluded strategic alliance agreement with the EuroAfrica Interconnector for the development and implementation of the 2,000 MW subsea electricity interconnector.[19]

Former Cyprus Foreign Minister (1997—2003, 2013—1 March 2018) and head of the European Parliament Foreign Affairs Working group, Ioannis Kasoulides, has joined the EuroAfrica Interconnector on April 4, 2018 as Chairman of the Strategic Council.[20] Ioannis Kasoulides has received on September 11, 2018 the highest decoration awarded by France – Officer of the Order of the Legion of Honour.[21]

Working Group meeting of EuroAfrica Interconnector with Egyptian Electricity Holding Company took place in Cairo on April 22-23, 2018.[22]

On June 25, 2018 Chairman of EuroAfrica Strategic Council Ioannis Kasoulides handed to Egypt's Minister of Electricity Mohamed Shaker El-Markabi a study of the 2,000 MW subsea electricity interconnector.[23][24][25] The President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on meeting with Chairman of EuroAfrica Strategic Council Ioannis Kasoulides and CEO EuroAfrica Interconnector Nasos Ktorides on June 27, 2018 in Cairo gave full support for Interconnector implementation.[26][27] President of Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades and the Prime Minister of Greece Alexis Tsipras met at 6th Trilateral Summit in Elounda, Crete on 10 October 2018.[28][29] They again stressed importance of EuroAfrica Interconnector.[28]

On May 22, 2019 in Cairo a historic framework agreement for the construction and commissioning of the EuroAfrica Interconnector was signed by EuroAfrica Interconnector CEO Nasos Ktorides and Eng. Sabah Mohamed Mashal, Chairperson of the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company.[30][31] The agreement was signed in the presence of the Egyptian Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly, Ministerial Cabinet and president of the EuroAfrica Interconnector Strategic Board Ioannis Kasoulides.[30] [31]

The President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Mr Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades and the Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic, Mr Kyriakos Mitsotakis, issued a joint declaration at the conclusion of the 7th Trilateral Summit, held in Cairo on October 8, 2019, expressed their desire to continue strengthening their cooperation in matters of energy.[7] In this regard, the joint declaration by the three leaders said, “they recognised the importance of establishing an electrical grid between Egypt, Cyprus and Greece, such as the framework agreement between the Egyptian Electricity Holding Company and the Euro Africa Interconnector Company on 22 May 2019.[7]

Offshore Eastern Mediterranean hydrocarbon findings

Levantine Sea is bounded by Greece, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Egypt, with Cyprus in the middle as its largest island. The seafloor of the Eastern Mediterranean Basin is dotted with mud volcanoes which spew gas and occasionally oil into the benthic zone. Geologically it consists of sediment columns up to 12 km thick capped by evaporites. Geological and oceanographers facts lead to speculation that Levantine sea contains big gas and oil deposits trapped in evaporites. Recently in Egypts Exclusive Economic Zone Eni discovered Zohr gas field , largest known gas field in Mediterranean.[32] The Zohr gas field holds around 850 billion cubic metres (30 trillion cubic feet) of gas.[32] It is estimated that in the Levant Basin there are around 3,500 billion cubic metres (120 trillion cubic feet) of undiscovered gas resources.[33] Interconnector could help better utilization of recently discovered gas fields by converting gas to electricity and transmitting electricity to distant networks.

Egypt as regional energy hub
Minister of Electricity Mohamed Shaker El-Markabi, CEO EuroAfrica Interconnector Nasos Ktorides, Chairman of the Egyptian Electricity Holding Company Gaber Dessouki Moustafa, Ambassador of Cyprus Charis Moritsis and senior Ministry officials on meeting February 26, 2018 in Cairo

During 2014. Egypt suffered from heavy electricity blackouts. In 2015. Egypt signed $9 billion contract with Siemens to supply gas and wind power plants of 16.4 GW capacity.[34] Siemens is building three combined-cycle gas power plants: Beni Sauf, New capital and Burullus, each of 4.8 GW capacity.[13] In Egypt Siemens is also building wind farms of capacity of 2 GW.[35] New power plants will boost by 50% Egypt's electricity generation. It is expected that power plants will be delivered during 2018.[13] Under construction is part of 1.8 GW photovoltaic power station Benban Solar Park.[36][37]

In February 2018 an Egyptian company and partners in Israel’s Tamar and Leviathan offshore gas fields announced $15 billion deal to export 6.5 billion cubic meters per year of Israeli gas to Egypt.[38] The deal paves way and upgrades status of Egypt as a regional energy hub.[38][39] Cyprus and Egypt are planning gas pipeline connecting Cyprus’ Aphrodite gas field to LNG facilities in Egypt.[40]

Egypt plans 3.000 MW interconnector to Saudi Arabia.[41] Via that power link it will be connected to other Gulf countries connected to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and others.[41]

Memorandum of Understanding for a Strategic Cooperation in Energy between Egypt and the European Union was signed on April 23 2018.[42][43] EU supports turning Egypt into an energy hub.[44][45]

Efficiency and big reduction of CO
2
Ioannis Kasoulidis, Chairman of the Strategic Council of the EuroAfrica Interconnector

New Egyptian combined-cycle gas power plants come with Siemens H-class technology turbines with energy conversion efficiency of 60%.[46] Usually gas power plants have energy conversion efficiency of up to 38%, oil power plants up to 42% and coal plants from 32 % to 42 %.[47] Thermal efficiency of Cyprus power stations is 36,5%, and Greek power stations have efficiency less than 40%.[48][49]

Increased efficiency will significantly lower fuel costs and also CO
2 emission. Gas power plants with normal energy conversion efficiency produce electricity with 1.5 to 2 times less CO
2 compared to coal or oil power plants. On the other hand Egyptian new high efficient gas power plants for same amount of produced electricity will produce 2 to 3 times less CO
2 compared to normal oil or coal power stations in use on Cyprus, Crete and in Greece.

Benefits of Interconnector
  • EuroAfrica Interconnector Project Director George Killas (centre) with Chris Peeters, CEO of Elia Group (right) and Markus Berger, Chief Officer Infrastructure of Elia Group
    EuroAfrica Interconnector Project Director George Killas (left) with Didier Wiot, Chief Officer Solutions & Services at Elia Group
    Ensures secure energy supply of Cyprus, Greece and Egypt connecting them with European network[1]
  • Ends energy isolation of Cyprus and Crete and connect them to European network. Cyprus is last member of EU fully isolated without energy interconnections.[1]
  • For new Egypt and Cyprus gas finding enables path towards new markets in form of electricity. Also enables path for electricity produced from renewable energy sources.[1] Development of renewable energy sources on isolated systems like Cyprus and Crete could compromise islands electrical systems due to chaotic production fluctuations. Electricity interconnection will enable high percentage of renewable sources in such isolated systems.
  • Contributes to EU target for 10% of electricity interconnection between member states.[1]
  • Promotes development of renewable energy sources and significantly contributes to the reduction of CO
    2
  • Offers significant economic and geopolitical benefit to 3 countries.[1] It is expected that socio-economic benefit will be around 10 billion €.[1]
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See also

References
  1. EuroAfrica Interconnector
  2. Electricity Cable Aims to Link Cyprus, Egypt, Greece, Bloomberg, February 8, 2017
  3. EuroAfrica 2,000MW cable boosts Egypt-Cyprus ties, Financial Mirror February 8, 2017
  4. EEHC, Euro Africa Company sign MoU to conduct a feasibility study to link Egypt, Cyprus, Greece, Daily News Egypt,February 6, 2017
  5. Minister heading to Nicosia for EuroAfrica Interconnector
  6. Joint Declaration of the 7th Egypt – Cyprus – Greece Trilateral Summit, Cairo, October 8th, 2019
  7. Joint Declaration of the 7th Egypt – Cyprus – Greece Trilateral Summit, Cairo, October 8th, 2019
  8. EuroAfrica Interconnector Cable Agreement (in Greek),Phileleftheros, 7. March 2018
  9. 10 major Transmission & Distribution projects in 2019 and beyond
  10. . "Cyprus among 10 major electricity transmission projects in 2019". Financial Mirror. 2019-06-27. Retrieved 2019-06-27.
  11. "Egypt President El-Sisi fully endorses EuroAfrica Interconnector "electricity corridor" in historic meeting, Press release". Archived from the original on 2018-02-04. Retrieved 2018-02-03.
  12. Egypt’s El Sisi endorses EuroAfrica Interconnector ΚΥΠΕ - CYPRUS/Nicosia 21/11/2017
  13. ENERGY: Sisi, Tsipras endorse EuroAfrica electricity cable
  14. Energy, peace focus of Tripartite Summit, Cyprus Mail, November 21, 2017
  15. Joint Declaration following the 5th Cyprus – Egypt – Greece Trilateral Summit, PIO Cyprus,Nicosia, 21 November 2017
  16. El Fattah el-Sisi, Anastasiades, Tsipras Trilateral Summit 21 November 2017
  17. The Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras talk at the Greek-American Chamber of Comerce annual conference, Athens, December 5, 2017
  18. Electricity Minister meets Cypriot Ambassador، says Egypt will carry energy for Europe
  19. EuroAfrica Interconnector concludes strategic alliance agreement with Elia Grid
  20. Former Foreign Minister of the Republic of Cyprus Ioannis Kasoulides joins EuroAfrica Interconnector Chairman of the Strategic Council
  21. The Chairman of EuroAsia Interconnector Strategic Council awarded France’s highest decoration
  22. Euroafrica Interconnector Working Group meeting with Egyptian Electricity Holding Company Cairo, April 22-23, 2018
  23. Egypt receives study on electricity interconnector with Europe,26.6.2018
  24. Study for Cyprus-Egypt-Crete electricity interconnection, Kathimerini, 27.6.2018
  25. A study on the EuroAfrica cable was delivered to Egypt, Philenews, 27.6.2018
  26. Egypt, Cyprus discuss boosting mutual cooperation in electricity, Egypt Today, June 27, 2018
  27. President Sisi: Egypt qualified to pursue Euro-Africa electricity highway via Cyprus, The Egyptian Gazette, June 27, 2018
  28. EuroAfrica Interconnector at 6th Trilateral Summit - Elounda, Crete 10-10-18
  29. Sigmalive,Στήριξη Ελλάδας – Αιγύπτου σε Κύπρο για λύση χωρίς κηδεμόνες
  30. DailyNewsEgypt, Egypt, EuroAfrica agree to implement interconnector cable with Cyprus, Greece
  31. in-cyprus.com, Historic agreement for Egypt-Europe electricity interconnector via Cyprus
  32. Eni discovers largest known gas field in Mediterranean, The Guardian 30.8.2015
  33. Ratner, Michael (August 2016). "Natural Gas Discoveries in the Eastern Mediterranean" (PDF). Congressional Research Service.
  34. "UPDATE 2-Siemens signs 8 billion euro power deal with Egypt". Reuters.
  35. Milestone for Siemens Egypt megaproject: First substations ready for operation
  36. "Benban 1.8 GW PV Solar Park, Egypt Strategic Environmental & Social Assessment Final Report" (PDF). Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency. EcoConServ Environmental Solutions. February 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  37. Raven, Andrew (October 2017). "A New Solar Park Shines a Light on Egypt's Energy Potential". International Finance Corporation. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  38. Egyptian firm to buy $15 billion of Israeli natural gas, Reuters, February 19, 2018
  39. Israel-Egypt $15 Billion Gas Deal Boosts Energy Hub Prospects, Bloomberg, February 19, 2018
  40. UPDATE 1-Cyprus-Egypt gas pipeline to cost $800 mln-$1 bln, Reuters May 7, 2018
  41. Egypt Plans Power Link to Saudis in $1.6 Billion Project, Bloomberg, December 18, 2017
  42. Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for strategic partnership on energy between Egypt and the EU
  43. New era in EU-Egypt energy cooperation
  44. "New era in EU-Egypt energy cooperation". ec.europa.eu. 23 April 2018.
  45. "Egypt Is Shaping Up To Become A Real Energy Hub". oilprice.com. 17 February 2019.
  46. First Siemens gas turbines begin their journey to Egypt,Erlangen, 2016-Feb-17
  47. Compare the Efficiency of Different Power Plants
  48. Electricity Authority of Cyprus, Annual Report 2015
  49. Greece Energy efficiency report
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