crete interconnection

Work on Crete-Athens grid link nears launch after approvals

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The Court of Auditors has approved contracts offered to winning bidders for installation of the Crete-Athens grid interconnection’s four cable segments, enabling the signing of contracts for the one billion-euro project’s biggest stage, budgeted at 615 million euros, probably within the month, energypress sources have informed. Work will then be able to commence.

Prysmian, Nexans and Hellenic Cables-NKT were awarded contracts for the project’s four cable segments. Prysmian secured two of these four contracts.

On another front, the Court of Auditors is expected to approve a contract for the project’s other key stage, the design, supply and installation of two converters and a substation, in June, according to sources.

Siemens – Terna, a member of the GEK TERNA group, submitted an improved bid of 370 million euros late last month to be awarded this contract by power grid operator IPTO’s fully-owned subsidiary Ariadne Interconnection, the project promoter.

The Court of Auditors’ approval of contracts for the project’s four cable segments follows a recent decision by the environment and energy ministry endorsing the 1,000-MW project’s environmental terms.

EU funding for the project through the NSRF (2014 – 2020) is expected to be approved within the next week to ten days, according to reliable sources. This would subsequently also offer IPTO access to bank financing.

Siemens-Terna awarded converter stations contract for Crete-Athens link

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Power grid operator IPTO’s fully-owned subsidiary Ariadne
Interconnection has successfully completed a tender process for the Converter Stations of the Crete-Athens Interconnection, awarding the contract to Siemens – Terna, a member of the GEK TERNA group, ADMIE (IPTO) Holding has announced. 

After the submission of an improved bid on March 26, the contract price was set at 370 million euros, of which 358.6 million euros concern the construction of the converter stations. The remaining 11.4 million euros concern maintenance of these stations.

The contract calls for a 36-month implementation period and will be signed after approval by the Court of Auditors.

The project will be included in the list of the Operational Program “Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation” of the NSRF 2014 – 2020.

Τhe tendering procedure for the design, supply and installation of two Converters and a Substation for the DC Electrical Interconnection between Crete and Athens was launched on May 24, 2019.

The tender attracted the interest of world leaders in the industry and on November 1, 2019 the GE-Nari-Mytilineos and Siemens-Terna consortiums submitted binding offers.

The evaluation of the offers submitted by the consortiums, both of which possess strong technical backgrounds and specialized experience in similar projects abroad, required more than four months due to the project’s elevated technical demands. 

The technical evaluation was completed on March 13 and the Siemens-Terna consortium’s offer qualified, taking into account all relevant issues related to the interconnection.

Commenting on the tender, the IPTO group’s CEO Manos Manousakis noted: “During these challenging times, the tender process for our
flagship project, amounting to 1 billion euros, was successfully completed without problems.
IPTO will continue to focus all its efforts in order to protect the timely implementation of the project and ensure the safe and reliable power supply of Crete through the mainland system by 2023. Apart from the economic benefits of the interconnection of Crete for all Greek consumers, through the decline of Public Service Obligations (PSO), the implementation of this
project paves the way for accelerated RES integration on the island based on the principles of sustainable development.”

IPTO in talks with financial institutions for Crete link loan

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Power grid operator IPTO is currently involved in talks with local and foreign financial institutions for a loan concerning Crete’s major-scale electricity grid interconnection with Athens, a project budgeted at around one billion euros.

IPTO chief executive Manos Manousakis is looking for a project loan of roughly 400 million euros. Talks, so far, with financial institutions, including the EBRD, according to sources, are believed to have made good progress.

Financial institutions contacted so far appear positive on the prospect of  providing financing for the Crete-Athens interconnection but want WACC level and cost-benefit study assurances.

IPTO anticipates financing for the project from three sources, including the 400 million-euro bank loan.

The operator has already allotted 200 million euros for subsidiary firm Ariadne Interconnector, the project promoter. IPTO also expects between 350 and 400 million euros to come from the EU’s National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF).

A new regulatory framework for the grid interconnection as a national project rather than a PCI project is a significant pending issue that also needs to be resolved.

RES auction to offer 200 MW for Cretan wind, solar energy projects

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RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, is preparing to stage a RES auction for new renewable energy facility installations on Crete in anticipation of the island’s grid capacity increase to result from new interconnections with the mainland.

The authority intends to offer 100 MW for wind energy facilities and a further 100 MW for solar energy projects, all at a starting price of 30 euros per MWh.

Crete is rated as an area of very high RES potential, especially for wind and solar projects. These favorable conditions support further renewable energy development at the lowest possible cost and minimum burden on consumers.

Crete’s energy security has developed into a major issue and national priority as a result of the implementation of strict EU carbon emission limits requiring the withdrawal of high-polluting units as of the end of 2020.

 

Crete link environmental terms, needed for contracts, soon

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The energy ministry will publish the environmental terms for Crete’s major-scale grid interconnection with Athens, needed for project contracts, within the first ten days or March, power grid operator IPTO, the project’s promoter, anticipates.

The delivery of these terms will enable the winning bidders for the project’s cable installations, Prysmian, Nexans and Hellenic Cables – NKT, to sign project contracts with the operator, probably two to three weeks later, somewhere between late March and early April.

Meanwhile, appraisals of offers submitted by bidders for project converter stations are believed to be nearing completion. Two consortiums, Terna-Siemens and Mytilineos-General Electric-Nari have submitted offers to the tender for converter stations.

Construction of the major-scale grid interconnection, from Crete to Athens, will be able to commence once the cable and converter station contracts have been signed.

IPTO insists the project will be fully operational in 2023.

Work on Crete’s small-scale grid interconnection with the mainland, from Crete to the southern Peloponnese, is progressing as scheduled, IPTO has informed.

The installation of this segment’s submarine cables, awarded to Prysmian and Hellenic Cables, is scheduled to be completed around November, according to IPTO’s schedule.

This segment involves deep-sea cable installation work at more than 1,000 meters below sea level, an effort said to be unprecedented anywhere in the world.

Swift solution needed for Crete link project’s local resistance

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The energy ministry is working to overcome resistance raised by regional authorities in Crete against the installation of a converter station needed for a submarine electricity grid interconnection project to link the island with Athens.

Cretan regional authorities have delivered a negative report on a plan by power grid operator IPTO, the project’s promoter, to install a converter station at Damasta in the Heraklion province.

The ministry needs to resolve the issue in order to issue an environmental permit for the interconnection project. The project’s completion target of 2023 could be threatened if this issue is not swiftly resolved.

A new round of talks involving top-ranked officials at the energy ministry and RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, and Cretan regional authorities could be held during the current week. Alternative solutions and offsetting measures that would compensate locals for any negative impact caused by the project are expected to be discussed.

IPTO appears set to sign an agreement with Prysmian, Nexans and Hellenic Cables – NKT, the winning bidders in a tender for the project’s cables. However, the pending environmental permit is needed.

Technical aspects of bids submitted to another project tender concerning two other converter stations and a substation are currently being assessed. Two consortiums, Terna – Siemens and Mytilineos – General Electric – Nari submitted bids for this tender.

Its next stage, an assessment of financial offers submitted by the aforementioned participants, will be made early in the year, Ariadne, an IPTO subsidiary formed for the Cretan interconnection project, has informed.

Copelouzos, Terna, PPC in Crete wind energy talks

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Power utility PPC is engaged in talks with the Copelouzos and Terna Energy groups for the establishment of a joint venture to operate Cretan wind energy parks with a total capacity of approximately 1,000 MW.

The trio also intends to secure capacity in the Crete-Athens grid interconnection once this project, being developed by power grid operator IPTO, has been completed.

Details being discussed include the prospective stakes each of the three companies in the common venture. An even split of 33 percent each is one of the options being considered.

Two major Cretan wind energy projects being developed by Terna Energy and the Copelouzos group’s Elika were merged in 2017 to simplify their respective financing procedures through the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), commonly known as the Juncker Package.

These wind energy parks, promising an overall capacity of approximately 950 MW, will be developed in four prefectures.

PPC’s involvement, if an agreement with Copelouzos and Terna Energy is reached, could offer the power utility a 330-MW capacity.

Besides the current talks with Copelouzos and Terna Energy, PPC has received over ten partnership offers by Greek and foreign firms over the past few months.

The power utility recently signed three Memorandums of Understanding for strategic partnerships in the renewable energy sector, including one with Masdar Taaleri Generation (MTG) concerning a 300-MW capacity.

Ariadne Interconnector minority stake tender early in 2020

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A tender to offer one or two prospective partners minority stakes in Ariade Interconnector, the SPV established by power grid operator IPTO for the development of the Athens-Crete electricity grid interconnection, is expected to be staged within the first few months of 2020.

Both the energy minister Costis Hatzidakis and IPTO chief executive Manos Manousakis anticipate common ground will soon be found with RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, to enable the tender to go ahead.

State Grid Corp of China (SGCC) appears willing to participate in the tender. The Chinese company, already holding a 24 percent stake of IPTO, has expressed interest to acquire 20 percent of Ariadne. A related memorandum guaranteeing SGCC’s involvement, has been signed between SGCC and IPTO.

If SGCC’s interest in Ariadne is limited to 20 percent, then a second package, most probably offering an additional 19 percent, will be offered to investors for a total of 39 percent.

This is the Ariadne Interconnector stake that had been planned for EuroAsia, a consortium of Cypriot interests that has opposed IPTO’s decision to appoint Ariadne, a subsidiary firm, as project promoter of the Athens-Crete electricity grid interconnection.

Euroasia, heading a consortium formed for a wider PCI-status interconnection project to link the Greek, Cypriot and Israeli grids, has sought control of the Crete-Athens segment’s development.

If SGCC expresses an interest for an Ariadne stake bigger than 20 percent, then just one package offering 39 percent will be offered through a tender.

IPTO is determined to keep a majority stake in its subsidiary Ariadne as the operator wants to maintain control over the construction stage of the Athens-Crete link, to be managed by the operator once launched.

Investors, especially from abroad, are expected to show strong interest in Ariadne.

The IPTO administration is also looking to offer minority stakes to investors in other projects it is developing. This would secure further financing support and swifter completion.

SGCC interested in additional IPTO stake, Crete grid link role

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The chief official at State Grid Corp of China (SGCC) is expected to officially express interest for an additional stake in Greek power grid operator IPTO as well as an entry into its subsidiary Ariadne, project promoter of the planned Crete-Athens electricity grid interconnection.

Wei Kou, the SGCC chairman, is scheduled to hold a meeting with Greek energy minister Costis Hatzidakis in Athens today.

The Chinese official is part of a visiting Chinese delegation spearheaded by President Xi Jinping. The group arrived yesterday.

The energy ministry has known about SGCC’s interest in both matters for quite some time now.

In July, Hatzidakis, the energy minister, had announced a government intention to further privatize IPTO. SGCC already holds a 24 percent share.

Ensuing reports on the additional IPTO stake that could be offered by the Greek government have ranged between 20 and 30 percent.

As for the Crete-Athens grid link, needed to resolve a looming energy shortage threat on the island, SGCC’s right to become involved is unclear. The European Commission needs to clarify whether the subsidiary of a certified operator – in this case, Ariadne – can develop national grid projects if third parties have entered as shareholders.

Quite clearly, the Greek government is keen on further energy sector collaborations with China. Athens, however, will need to move with particular care and abide by stricter EU rules concerning Chinese investments in European sectors of strategic importance.

Ariadne third-party investors a problem for Crete grid link

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Crete’s major-scale electricity grid interconnection with Athens, now entering its next phase following a government decision to not develop the link as a national project, meaning the project will not be included on the EU’s new PCI list, faces subsequent administrative and financing complexities.

Ariadne, as a fully-owned subsidiary of power grid operator IPTO, is entitled to develop this national electricity transmission project, but appears to lose the right should third parties enter its equity make-up as partners.

IPTO wants investors to take on a minority stake of up to 49 percent in Ariadne as a means of avoiding bank loans for the project’s development.

If third parties enter Ariadne’s make-up as shareholders, then the subsidiary will need to be re-certified as operator based on its new line-up. A second alternative would require RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, to stage the competitive procedure to bring new investors into Ariadne.

Both options would be time-consuming, which is a major concern given the urgency of this project, needed to prevent looming energy shortages on Crete.

The energy ministry, fully informed on the complexities to be created by third-party entries into Ariadne’s line-up, is expected to soon seek further clarification on the matter from the European Commission.

One of three Crete link bidding teams wants time or will exit

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ABB, the world’s biggest developer of power grid interconnection projects, has requested a further deadline extension greater than the one-month periods of additional time already granted twice for a tender concerning the Crete-Athens grid interconnection project’s engineering, procurement and construction of two converter stations and a GIS substation, energypress sources have informed. The tender’s current deadline is set to expire on October 31.

Both the Greek government and power grid operator IPTO appear determined not to accept any further deadline extension requests as this, they believe, would increase the risk of a project delay and, consequently, energy sufficiency issues on Crete.

Outdated, high-polluting power stations still operating on Crete soon need to be withdrawn.

ABB, which has joined forces with Greek maritime infrastructure construction and maintenance group Archirodon for the Cretan project’s tender, has cited the complexity of the project for the additional time the company appears to need. If a sizable extension is not granted, then ABB and project partner Archirodon will most likely withdraw from the tender, it is believed.

On the contrary, two other partnerships established for the tender, according to reliable sources, are preparing to submit their offers. Siemens is believed to have joined forces with Greek construction company TERNA and General Electric is working with Greece’s Mytilineos, according to sources.

The grid interconnection project’s development faces a tight schedule. IPTO chief executive Manos Manousakis told a recent conference the project will be launched early 2023, not at the end of 2022, as was previously believed.

PPC wants cost coverage for Crete energy sufficiency moves

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Power utility PPC is unwilling to move ahead with measures required to ensure energy sufficiency on Crete between 2020 and 2023 – the period during which the island’s major-scale electricity grid interconnection with Athens is planned to be developed – unless it is assured cost coverage for these actions through public service compensation (YKO) surcharges included on electricity bills.

Various measures deemed necessary by a National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) study have yet to be implemented.

On the contrary, various issues keep surfacing. Just recently, PPC informed there is not enough time to convert a diesel-fueled unit at Atherinolakkos into a gas-fueled facility by next summer. All of the island’s high-polluting diesel-run units must be withdrawn by the end of this year.

PPC wants the cost of unit conversions, natural gas orders, as well as take-or-pay clauses that may be attached to gas supply agreements covered by the public service compensation surcharge.

Besides representing part of the overall solution for Crete’s energy sufficiency between 2020 and 2023, the plan to convert old lignite units to gas-fueled facilities also promises to serve as a long-term solution.

The NTUA study for Crete also proposes the installation of a new 100-MW unit, preferably gas fueled; development of new RES facilities with a total capacity of between 100 and 150 MW; and the installation and incorporation into the grid of energy storage systems (high-tech batteries) with a capacity of 30 to 40 MW.

PM decision on Crete link, wider PCI plan support needed today

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Negotiations ran throughout the day until late last night as all sides involved sought to determine if an agreement is possible on the prospective Crete-Athens power grid interconnector and whether the wider Athens-Crete-Cyprus-Israel interconnection, an EU project of common interest (PCI), remains feasible under the current conditions.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis must inform the European Commission  today on whether Athens supports the wider PCI project, a stance that would incorporate the Athens-Crete segment, or pursue this segment separately as a national project.

A European Commission PCI committee is meeting today to discuss the EU’s new PCI list for the next two years.

Greek power grid operator IPTO has been embroiled in a dispute with Cypriot consortium EuroAsia Interconnector over development control of the wider project’s Crete-Athens segment. EuroAsia Interconnector heads the wider project and has been joined by Elia, Belgium’s electricity transmission system operator, in a strategic alliance.

The Cypriot side entered yesterday’s negotiations with a slightly improved offer but the Greek side still considers it insufficient for constructive talks.

The Greek government has set red lines for the Athens-Crete segment, including no further delays for ongoing tenders offering converter station contracts, which effectively means technical term revisions will not be accepted. Greek officials insist compatibility for the wider project is ensured.

Gov’t making last-ditch effort for Cypriot deal on Crete grid link

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The government, determined to move ahead with the country’s grid interconnection projects in support of economic and environmental concerns, is making a final effort to establish cooperation between Greek power grid operator IPTO and Cypriot consortium EuroAsia Interconnector, at odds for development control of a grid project to link Crete with Athens.

The EuroAsia Interconnector consortium heads a wider PCI-status project to link the Greek, Cypriot and Israeli grids.

“We need to have made decisions by October 4. Grid Interconnections are a priority for environmental and economic reasons,” energy minister Costis Hatzidakis stressed yesterday, speaking at a conference staged by the Hellenic Entrepreneurs Association (EENE).

The government is seeking to make the most of ongoing visits to Greece by Cypriot minister of energy, commerce industry and tourism Giorgos Lakkotrypis and former foreign minister Ioannis Kasoulides, now Euroasia Interconnector’s Chairman of the Strategic Council.

The Greek energy ministry has not ruled out an agreement with Euroasia Interconnector for the Crete-Athens grid link but has made clear swift development of the project is the top priority. A Greek-Cypriot-Israeli grid interconnection is still desired by the Greek government but the Cretan link is seen as even more crucial, Hatzidakis, the energy minister, is insisting, according to sources.

Euroasia Interconnector and the European Commission have requested the cancellation of a decision by RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, awarding the Cretan project to Ariadne, a fully-owned IPTO subsidiary. This would delay progress.

“The only remaining prospect for cooperation would require Euroasia to provide the needed capital for a stake in Ariadne. But the Cypriot consortium appears unwilling or unable to do this,” an official deeply involved in the matter has informed.

The Cretan grid link project will be continued as a national project if current talks with the Cypriot side do not lead to any agreement, sources informed. If so, the Greek government is expected to deliver a pending reply to Brussels making clear that it does not support the entire Athens-Crete-Cyprus-Israel project.

Meanwhile, prospective bidders of a tender concerning the Crete-Athens grid interconnection project’s engineering, procurement and construction of two converter stations and a GIS substation have been given a further deadline extension. An initial August 30 deadline had been reset for September 30 before the latest extension.

Crete-Athens link tender set for further deadline extension

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A tender concerning the Crete-Athens grid interconnection project’s engineering, procurement and construction of two converter stations and a GIS substation will be given a further deadline extension, possibly an entire month, as a result of requests made by major prospective bidders.

An initial August 30 deadline was reset for September 30 and may now be extended to October 30.

Project promoter Ariadne, a subsidiary of Greek power grid operator IPTO, has made clear to the tender’s participants the latest deadline extension will be the last as any further delays would place at risk the project’s completion on time. This would have repercussions as the project is vital for Crete’s energy sufficiency.

The latest extension is not linked to a legal challenge made by EuroAsia, a consortium of Cypriot interests heading a wider PCI-status project to link the Greek, Cypriot and Israeli grids, sources noted. Nor is it any way linked to a pending Greek government response to the European Commission on whether the Crete-Athens interconnection will be supported by Greece as part of the wider PCI project or as a national project, the sources added.

Some of the companies interested in the Crete-Athens link tender have confirmed requesting a new deadline extension.

This tender was preceded by an initial tender concerning the project’s cable segments. Appraisals of the technical aspects of offers will be completed by the end of this month, according to IPTO chief executive Manos Manousakis, while assessments of the financial offers will follow.

Time insufficient for Crete diesel units switch to gas, will cost

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Power utility PPC has admitted it does not have enough time to convert old, high-polluting diesel-fueled power stations operating on Crete into natural gas-fueled units by 2020, as it had previously assured, energypress sources have informed.

Though the island does not appear likely to experience an energy sufficiency problem, the cost of preventing a shortage will be considerable and will be covered by consumers around the country through elevated public service compensation (YKO) surcharges included on electricity bills.

Crete’s ageing diesel-fueled units, offering a total capacity of 100 MW, were given lifespan extensions in June through a legislative amendment delivered by the previous energy minister Giorgos Stathakis, without EU approval. EU fines cannot be ruled out.

This additional operating time is intended to provide cover until the launch of a small-scale grid interconnection to link Crete with the Peloponnese, expected at the end of 2020. A large-scale interconnection linking Crete with Athens is expected in 2023.

The conversion of the old power stations into gas-fueled units has constituted part of an overall plan to ensure energy sufficiency on Crete between 2020 and 2023.

Besides the high cost entailed in running these old power units, energy sufficiency on Crete is made even more expensive by high-priced leasing costs of power generators deployed on the island every summer to meet higher tourism-related electricity demand.

Plans for the installation of an FSRU off Crete appear to have also run into problems. Gas grid operator DESFA has proposed a bigger and permanent onshore LNG terminal installation.

 

Supreme Court rejects Euroasia case for Crete link control

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The Council of State, Greece’s Supreme Administrative Court, appears to have rejected a case filed by Euroasia Interconnector, a consortium of Cypriot interests, challenging the appointment of Greek power grid operator IPTO subsidiary Ariadne as project promoter of a grid interconnection to link Crete with Athens, energypress sources have informed.

Euroasia, heading a consortium formed for a wider PCI-status interconnection project to link the Greek, Cypriot and Israeli grids, is seeking control of the Crete-Athens segment’s development.

Legal experts believe Euroasia’s challenge will not succeed.

The Cypriot consortium’s Supreme Court move, which opposed the Ariadne subsidiary’s appointment by RAE, Greece’s Regulatory Authority for Energy, followed an unsuccessful legal attempt at the Authority for the Examination of Preliminary Appeals (AEPP).

The Supreme Court’s verdict is crucial as it will determine if ongoing tenders for the development of the Crete-Athens interconnection can continue or not.

Procedures concerning a tender for the project’s transmission stations are progressing and attracting the interest of major developers and suppliers. This tender’s deadline was extended by one month.

The energy ministry, in contact with the European Commission over the matter, has not written off the prospect of a settlement with Euroasia but insists the project’s swift development is the key criterion behind decisions.

Supplying the required capital for a minority stake in Ariadne appears to be the only available option for Euroasia at this stage. However, the Cypriot consortium does not appear willing to take such a route.

Time is running out. Greece has until October 31 to inform a European Commission committee handling the EU’s PCI list if the country will support the Crete-Athens interconnection as part of the wider PCI project or proceed with its development as a national project.

Supreme court to hear Euroasia Crete-Athens case Thursday

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The Council of State, Greece’s Supreme Administrative Court, is scheduled to hear a case filed by Euroasia Interconnector – a consortium of Cypriot interests heading a PCI-status grid interconnection project to link the Greek, Cypriot and Israeli systems – against Greek power grid operator IPTO on September 5.

Euroasia, embroiled in a dispute with IPTO for control of the Greek segment’s development, planned to link Crete with Athens, recently escalated its legal effort following a rejection by AEPP, the Authority for the Examination of Preliminary Appeals.

Commenting on the upcoming hearing, legal sources said they do not expect a favorable verdict for the Euroasia consortium.

Though the deadline of a project tender held by Ariadne Interconnector, an IPTO subsidiary, was given a one-month extension to September 30, procedures are progressing normally, while all major players appear interested, sources told energypress.

IPTO has increased the budget of the Crete-Athens interconnection to 380 million euros from an initial figure of 315 million euros. This 20 percent increase reflects the development cost, taking into account related projects in other parts of Europe as well as a high risk of delay-related costs.

The Crete-Athens interconnection needs to be completed in a 36-month period, far shorter than time periods of between 48 and 72 months offered for equivalent projects, internationally.

The Greek energy ministry has indicated a willingness to cooperate with the Cypriot consortium, making clear the project’s swift development is a pivotal factor behind decisions.

Greece has until October 31 to inform a European Commission committee if the country intends to support the Athens-Crete interconnection as a part of the wider PCI project or as a national project.

Euroasia takes Crete grid link case to supreme court

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Euroasia Interconnector, a consortium of Cypriot interests heading a PCI-status grid interconnection to link the Greek, Cypriot and Israeli systems, has escalated its legal action against Greek power grid operator IPTO amid their dispute for control of the Greek segment’s development, planned to link Crete with Athens.

Euroasia has stepped up its legal action by filing a case to the Council of State, Greece’s Supreme Administrative Court, following a rejection by AEPP, the Authority for the Examination of Preliminary Appeals, reliable sources have informed energypress.

The Cypriot consortium is seeking to have an AEPP verdict overturned, which would disrupt related project tenders currently being held by Ariadne Interconnector, an IPTO subsidiary.

The case is scheduled to be heard on September 5, the sources noted, adding Greek authorities are in the process of making their legal preparations.

The recently appointed Greek energy minister Costis Hatzidakis has already made clear his intentions to not alter the project’s ongoing procedures, while also indicating a willingness for greater cooperation with the Cypriot side.

 

 

Euroasia escalates Crete grid link legal action, IPTO unperturbed

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Euroasia Interconnector, a consortium of Cypriot interests heading a PCI-status grid interconnection to link the Greek, Cypriot and Israeli systems, has escalated its legal action against Greek power grid operator IPTO by submitting a suspension request intended to stop the latter’s development of the project’s Greek segment, to connect Crete with Athens.

The two sides have been at odds for control of the Greek segment’s development. The Crete-Athens electricity grid interconnection is urgently needed to prevent an energy shortage on Crete, Greece’s largest island.

The action comes following a meeting this week between Euroasia Interconnector officials and Greece’s newly appointed energy minister Costis Hatzidakis. The Cypriot officials obviously came out of the session  dissatisfied.

Euroasia Interconnector is seeking to overturn decisions by Greek authorities that have established Ariadne Interconnector, an IPTO subsidiary, as the Crete-Athens grid interconnection’s project promoter.

The latest legal action threatens to block tenders concerning the local segment’s development.

IPTO’s legal representatives are confident the latest action will prove futile and not lead to any further delays of the the project’s two tenders, both currently in progress.

Participants of a tender for the engineering, procurement and installation of cables and stations concerning the Crete-Athens electricity grid interconnection face an August 5 deadline, following two extensions. A second tender for the engineering, procurement and installation of two transformer stations and a substation concerning the project has been extended to August 30.

 

 

Crete grid link urgent, minister stresses at Cyprus meeting

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Euroasia Interconnector, a consortium of Cypriot interests heading a PCI-status grid interconnection to link the Greek, Cypriot and Israeli systems, is prepared to collaborate with Greek authorities for the development of the project’s Greek segment, to connect Crete with Athens, as long as Greece accepts a related road map set by the European Commission last October, sources have informed.

Essentially, this can be interpreted as a Cypriot demand for Greece to accept the project’s technical specifications that were rejected by Greek power grid operator IPTO and the previous Syriza government.

Last year’s road map includes all the technical, financial and interconnection details concerning the project’s three segments, linking Athens with Crete, Crete with Cyprus and Cyprus with Israel. Absolute compatibility is essential.

Greek energy minister Costis Hatzidakis, who met yesterday with Euroasia Interconnector’s top officials, emphasized the importance being placed by the newly elected conservative New Democracy government on the project’s swift development.

Fast progress will serve as the main criterion when determining action to be taken, Hatzidakis stressed at the meeting, in Nicosia, adding that, if possible, the support of EU funds would be a bonus. PCI projects are entitled to EU support funds.

IPTO and Euroasia Interconnector have been at odds for control over the development of the project’s Crete-Athens segment. It is needed urgently to prevent a looming energy shortage on Crete as of next year, when old units still operating on the island will need to be withdrawn to align the country with EU environmental policies.

Four-pronged solution likeliest to avert Crete energy shortage

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Currently examining options to prevent a looming energy shortage on Crete as of next year, when outdated high-polluting power stations will need to cease operating, RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, appears most likely to settle for a four-pronged solution involving facility conversions, the introduction of a new gas-fueled unit, additional renewable energy output and energy storage.

The package, constituting one of several plans researched by the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), is seen as an optimal solution as it combines energy sufficiency, economy and environmental protection.

Crete faces an energy sufficiency alert between 2020 – when older units will cease operating and a small-scale grid interconnection linking the island with the Peloponnese is launched – and 2023, when a large-scale interconnection linking the island’s grid with Athens is expected to be completed.

The NTUA proposal includes converting 100-MW diesel-fueled units at Atherinolakkos to a gas-fueled facility; installing a new 100-MW unit, preferably gas fueled; development of new RES facilities with a total capacity of between 100 and 150 MW; and, in an unprecedented move for Greece, the installation and incorporation into the grid of energy storage systems (high-tech batteries) with a capacity of 30 to 40 MW.

Development of this four-pronged solution has, in effect, already begun but details still need to be discussed with energy ministry officials, the IPTO and DEDDIE/HEDNO operators, and power utility PPC.

 

Crete grid link tender deadline extended by a few days

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The deadline of a tender for the engineering, procurement and installation of cables and stations concerning the Crete-Athens electricity grid interconnection, needed to prevent an energy shortage on the island, Greece’s largest, has been re-extended to August 5 from July 29, after the initial expiry date had been set for July 22.

Power grid operator IPTO, which has established the Ariadne Interconnector subsidiary for the project’s development, needed, according to the tender’s terms, to inform participants of the latest deadline no later than three days before the existing deadline. IPTO issued an announcement on the deadline extension yesterday.

A second tender for the engineering, procurement and installation of two transformer stations and a substation concerning the project has been extended to August 30.

Earlier this week, the Council of State, Greece’s Supreme Administrative Court, rejected a case filed by Euroasia Interconnector against the tenders, paving the way for IPTO to push ahead with the project, to be completed over two stages. The first will link Crete with the Peloponnese while the second will connect Crete with the Athens area.

Euroasia Interconnector, a consortium of Cypriot interests heading a wider PCI-status project to link the Greek, Cypriot and Israeli grids, has fought for development control of the Crete-Athens segment.

According to some sources, the Greek government may exhaust all possibilities for the project’s funding support through the EU’s PCI catalog, offering favorable terms. The interconnection’s development as a national project is another option.

A government decision on the course it will opt to take is expected over the next few days. The priority, at this stage, is to push ahead for the project’s swift completion.

 

Swift progress needed for Cretan link, minister supports

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There is no time to waste on the Crete-Athens grid interconnection project, while a solution in a dispute between Greek power grid operator IPTO and Cypriot consortium Euroasia Interconnector for control of the project’s development is desirable, the newly appointed energy minister Costis Hatzidakis has supported in comments at an Economist conference in Athens.

These thoughts, supporting swift development of the Cretan link, needed to avoid an energy shortage on the island, were also expressed by the Greek minister to his Cypriot counterpart Giorgos Lakkotrypis on the sidelines of the event, their first meeting since Hatzidakis assumed his post.

IPTO chief executive Manos Manousakis expressed satisfaction over the Greek energy minister’s determination to push ahead with the Cretan grid link.

Euroasia Interconnector, heading a PCI-status Greek-Cypriot-Israeli electricity grid connection project, is seeking control, as provider, of the wider plan’s Greek segment.

The country’s newly elected conservative New Democracy government must still clarify, to the European Commission, whether it supports the inclusion of the entire Greek-Cypriot-Israeli project, or just the Crete-Cyprus-Israel segment, on a new PCI list being prepared by the EU body. The previous Syriza government’s energy ministry supported the latter, taking national control of the domestic Crete-Athens section.

The energy ministry intends to forward a letter, officially expressing its position on the matter, within the next few days, sources have informed.

 

Crete grid link project tenders headed for new extension

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Bidding deadlines for two tenders concerning the respective procurement of cables and transformers for the Crete-Athens grid interconnection, a project that is urgently needed to prevent a looming energy shortage on Crete, are headed for an extension.

Ariadne Interconnector, an SPV subsidiary established by power grid operator IPTO for the project’s development, will need to extend its bidding deadlines for the two tenders as AEPP, the Authority for the Examination of Preliminary Appeals, looking into action taken by Eurosia Interconnector, a consortium of Cypriot interests heading the wider PCI-status Greek-Cypriot-Israeli grid interconnection, has deferred its hearing for July 22 from July 15.

Euroasia Interconnector has been at odds with IPTO for development control of the wider project’s Crete-Athens segment.

The deadlines for the tenders now coincide with AEPP’s new date for the hearing. The deadline for the tender concerning the procurement of cables was previously set for July 8 before being extended to July 22. The tender for transformers was originally set for July 22.

Both tenders cannot proceed until AEPP has reached a decision on the dispute between IPTO and Eurosia Interconnector.

IPTO and RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, have already submitted their cases for the AEPP hearing.

According to pundits, Eurosia Interconnector’s chances of a decision in its favor are minimal, at best.

The Cypriot consortium’s decision to take its case to AEPP has been interpreted as a time-buying initiative taken with the hope of gaining the support of the newly elected Greek government.

While in opposition, the New Democracy party, which won last Sunday’s Greek elections, had not made clear whether it supported moves by IPTO, RAE and the ex-energy minister Giorgos Stathakis that ended up giving the Ariadne Interconnector subsidiary control of the Crete-Athens segment.

 

Gas conversion of Cretan plants added to island sufficiency plan

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The conversion of power utility PPC’s oil power plant facilities in Crete’s Atherinolakos location into gas-fueled units appears to be the latest addition to a package of solutions intended to ensure electricity sufficiency on the island as of 2020, when high-polluting units, in their current form, will need to have been withdrawn from the system as part of the EU’s environmental policy.

The Atherinolakos units, offering a 100-MW capacity, were granted lifetime extensions a few days ago by energy minister Giorgos Stathakis, unilaterally, without European Commission approval, for continued operation until a grid interconnection project linking Crete with the Peloponnese is completed.

These PPC units have already been given an extension by the European Commission until the end of this year.

The energy minister’s plan intends to keep the Atherinolakos units running until the Crete-Peloponnese interconnection, Crete’s small-scale link, is completed. A large-scale interconnection linking Crete with Athens is also in the making.

The Atherinolakos units could end up becoming part of a long-term solution for Crete that will depend on LNG shipments to Crete.

 

EuroAsia avoids challenge against Crete link tender terms

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Euroasia Interconnector, heading a PCI-status Greek-Cypriot-Israeli electricity grid connection but at odds with Greek power grid operator IPTO for control, as provider, of the project’s Crete-Athens segment, has chosen not to take preliminary legal action challenging the terms of a related project tender, energypress sources have informed.

A deadline set by IPTO subsidiary Ariadne Interconnection for any legal challenges expired yesterday. Action by Ariadne Interconnection, a consortium of Cypriot interests, had been anticipated by a number of officials.

On May 24, when the Ariadne Interconnection tender’s terms were announced, IPTO chief executive Manos Manousakis underlined that all interested parties, domestic and foreign, need to contribute, implying project delays would be prompted if either EuroAsia or the European Commission took legal action.

The Crete-Athens interconnection, budgeted at 915 million euros, is scheduled for completion within 2022.

EuroAsia’s restraint may reflect a new strategy by the Cypriot consortium entailing an effort to secure Greek government support required for the induction of the rest of the project (Crete-Cyprus-Israel) into the EU’s next PCI list, which ensures EU funding support.

Ministry planning Crete diesel unit extensions beyond 2019

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The energy ministry is preparing a legislative amendment to extend the lifelines of all diesel-fueled power stations operated by the state-controlled power utility PPC on Crete, despite EU regulations requiring the gradual withdrawal of these high-polluting units in 2020 and 2021.

The ministry wants a longer life for PPC’s diesel-powered units to avoid energy shortage problems on Crete until the island’s grid interconnections with the Peloponnese and Athens are completed and launched, in 2022 and 2023, respectively, as is anticipated. PPC needs to be legally covered to keep these units running.

Last October, the European Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy Miguel Arias Canete made clear that Greece will not be granted any further deadline extensions beyond December 31, 2019 for the diesel-fueled power stations operating on Crete.

Three diesel-fueled power stations with a total capacity of 728 MW currently operate on Crete. The island’s electricity demand is currently at a level of 630 MW and is expected to exceed 700 MW in 2020.

Crete link project needed fast, Euro MP candidates agree

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Crete’s electricity grid interconnection with Athens, a project needed to prevent a looming energy shortage threat on the island, must be swiftly developed, Euro MP candidates representing the Syriza, New Democracy, KINAL and Potami parties agreed at an event staged yesterday by Hellenic Production, an industry roundtable for growth organized by both smaller and larger manufacturing companies and the country’s main regional manufacturing associations.

The party officials also questioned, and even condemned, the European Commission’s insistence in supporting EuroAsia Interconnector – a consortium of Cypriot interests heading a wider PCI-status Greek-Cypriot-Israeli electricity grid interconnection project – for control of the Crete-Athens segment. This persistence has delayed the Cretan project and prompted economic and energy security issues for the island, the Euro MP candidates stressed.

Greek power grid operator IPTO, which chose to withdraw the Crete-Athens segment from the wider project, has been embroiled in a dispute with EuroAsia Interconnector for control of the domestic section.

New Democracy party candidate Maria Spyraki and KINAL’s Eva Kaili both contended that the Crete-Athens interconnection project’s technical specifications, as set by IPTO, will end up sidelining Greek players.

This is burdensome for the Greek econony, Spyraki noted, reminding of the government’s decision for development of the Cretan interconnection as a national project with NSRF funding rather than as a PCI-status project.

All four party representatives agreed energy costs for Greek enterprises need to be reduced. Spyraki, the New Democracy party candidate, referred to a PWC study whose findings show energy costs for Greek industry are 60 percent higher compared to those of European rivals.

 

 

Crete link tender designed to overcome any legal complications

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A tender being prepared by RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, for Crete’s major-scale electricity grid interconnection with Athens will include terms ensuring the prevention of any legal complications for the procedure, regardless of whether the project will be developed as a national or PCI-status project.

RAE officials have ascertained decisions will soon be reached so that the tender may be launched within May.

The Crete-Athens interconnection is still part of the EU’s PCI list as it was initially incorporated into a wider PCI-status interconnection involving the Greek, Cypriot and Israeli systems. However, Greece’s power grid operator IPTO withdrew the Crete-Athens segment as a result of a dispute with Euroasia Interconnector, a consortium of Cypriot interests heading the wider project, for control of the local segment.

IPTO chief executive Manos Manousakis disclosed yesterday that the operator will seek EU structural funds as it views the Crete-Athens as a national project.

Ariadne Interconnection, a special purpose vehicle established by IPTO for the project, is set to submit an application for EU structural funds, Manousakis noted. The official said he is confident of a favorable response from EU authorities as the Crete-Athens link is a project of major importance for the national economy and will ensure long-term energy security for Crete.

An updated PCI list will be finalized in autumn. Until then, the Crete-Athens link will remain a part of the current PCI catalog. Athens officially informed Brussels of its decision to remove the wider interconnection’s Greek segment on April 12.

The Crete-Athens link will be developed as planned and completed within the final quarter of 2022 if no other delays emerge and the tender is launched this month, IPTO officials have noted.