The Cyprus-based Euro Africa, responsible for the project of electrical connection linking Egypt, Cyprus, and Greece, has agreed with CESI to take over the project’s advisory functions.
The Electricity Ministry sources told Daily News Egypt that the Egyptian Electricity Holding Company (EEHC) conducted a feasibility study in principle, and formed a committee for review and comment, and is waiting to respond to inquiries regarding the study of the project.
The sources added that the Italian company CESI will review the technical studies and recommend appropriate solutions for the planned routes not affected by various climatic factors, in addition to the financial and legal aspects of the project.
According to the sources, the Cypriot side is still reviewing the studies on the linking project, which allows the linking of Cyprus and Crete to the EU.
The project supports the cooperation between Egypt, Cyprus, and Greece in the field of electricity linkage, and enhances Egypt’s role, as a regional energy hub in the Eastern Mediterranean in light of its great potential in this field, and the great boom in generating electricity, which now covers local demand and exporting.
Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry on Friday welcomed the Greek Foreign Minister Nicos Kotzias, and Cypriot Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides, as part of strengthening ties with Egypt. He also discussed the tripartite cooperation of several projects, most notably the electricity link.
The Ministry of Electricity aims to sign contracts for the project with the Cypriot side before the end of the year, at a capacity of 2,000 – 3,000 MW.
The Minister of Electricity Mohamed Shaker, said that the implementation of the project of electrical interconnection with Cyprus and Greece is being agreed upon, and the economic studies of the project are being carried out and all costs, including construction, operation, maintenance, insurance, and guarantees.
The ministry is also working on assessing the environmental regulations, and controls, the initial funding plan, and the initial implementation programmes. The project is part of the government’s strategy to make Egypt a regional energy centre.
He explained that Egypt has an important role in linking the networks of the Arab Mashreq, Maghreb, and North Africa, and is completing its strategy to be a central hub for electrical interconnection between Europe, and the Arab, and African countries.
