A tender just launched by power grid operator IPTO to offer a 20 percent stake in subsidiary firm Ariadne Interconnection, established specifically for the development of the Crete-Athens grid interconnection, anticipates investment interest from funds, which would contribute to the infrastructure project’s financing and benefit from subsequent earnings.

Besides funds, which typically invest in infrastructure projects, State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC), IPTO’s strategic partner with a 24 percent stake, is also expected to express interest in the tender offering a 20 percent stake of Ariadne Interconnection.

A September 28 deadline has been set for non-bindings bids, it was announced yesterday. Participation by Greek energy companies is also likely, sources informed.

Participants are entitled to take part either alone or collectively as consortium members, the tender’s terms have specified. Also, bidders must meet own capital criteria of at least 750 million euros, annually, to be eligible for entry.

Ariadne Interconnection has already ensured one billion euros worth of capital for the project, it noted in the tender’s announcement, the sources being: 200 million euros of company capital; 400 million euros from the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF); a 200 million-euro Eurobank bond loan; and 200 million euros from the European Investment Bank.