The government has declared a new 400-kV electrical interconnection being developed by power grid operator IPTO from Filippoi to Nea Sanda in northern Greece as a project of national importance, a move promising unhindered development as the classification limits any potential obstacles that may arise in terms of licensing or environmental issues.

The electrical interconnection, to run a length of approximately 140 kilometers, was declared a project of national significance by the energy ministry as well as the development and investment ministry.

A number of factors were taken into account, including the objective of IPTO, owner and operator of the country’s grid, to ensure adequate, continuous, secure, efficient and reliable electricity supply to the country.

Balancing market interests as well as cross-border trade, based on principles of transparency, equality and free competition, were also taken into account.

So, too, was the potential offered by the project to increase storage capacity and distribution of electricity production, especially that of renewables, mainly large-scale wind farms, plus conventional power stations in the wider region.