A major milestone for the power interconnections being developed by ADMIE in the Dodecanese and the islands of the northern Aegean is the successful completion of the electronic auction and the ranking of bids for each section of the international tender for the construction of 150 kV high-voltage cables and high-voltage alternating current (HVAC) technology.
The subject of the tender concerns the conclusion of a six-year framework agreement for the design, supply, and installation of the submarine and underground cables to be used in the interconnection projects of the two island clusters, as well as in smaller-scale interconnection projects in the Ionian and Argosaronic Islands, with a total maximum budget of €2.070 billion (plus VAT).
ADMIE implemented this specific tendering procedure for the first time, a process already adopted by other European transmission system operators, due to historically high demand for submarine cables for interconnection projects at the international level, thereby ensuring the availability of production slots at the contractors’ factories.
The criterion for the international tender is the most economically advantageous bid. The first section of the project, which includes the Thrace–Lemnos, Kos–Rhodes, Lesbos–Limnos, and Lesbos–Chios, was awarded to Fulgor S.A., and, respectively, the second section of the project, which includes the interconnections Rhodes–Karpathos, Aliveri (GIS)–Skyros, Samos–Kos, Skyros–Lesbos, Chios–Samos, Aegina–Megara, and Kefalonia–Kyllini, was awarded to Prysmian Powerlink Srl, both of which submitted the most advantageous financial bids. The tender process is expected to be completed with the respective contract awards.
It should be noted that with the electrical interconnection of the Dodecanese, Kos, Rhodes, and Karpathos will be connected to the mainland grid via Corinth in two distinct phases. Similarly, the interconnection of the northeastern Aegean will include the islands of Lemnos, Lesbos, Chios, Samos, and Skyros and will be implemented in three phases.
These projects are of critical importance for strengthening energy security, reducing electricity generation costs on the islands, harnessing the potential of renewable energy sources, and substantially improving the environmental quality of the regions.
ADMIE is consistently moving forward with the implementation of the largest island interconnection program in the country’s history, making a decisive contribution to the development of a modern, reliable, and sustainable energy system.