Crete’s grid interconnection with the mainland will require the development of a new, upgraded regional energy control center on the island, according to power grid operator IPTO’s ten-year development plan covering 2021 to 2030.

The new center will be needed to ensure effective management of new energy market data, not achievable through the existing center’s means and infrastructure, as these would not be able to incorporate new technologies, IPTO stresses in its ten-year development plan.

Also, the existing energy control center’s maintenance has become extremely difficult and costly due to the unavailability of spare parts and experienced technicians for its type of technologies, the operator added.