The Crete–Attica electrical interconnection was honored with the special award “Strategic Project of the Year 2025”, in the context of the 9th ITC 2026 Infrastructure and Transport Conference.
The award was received by the Secretary General for Energy and Mineral Raw Materials, Ms. Despoina Paliarouta, the Vice Chairman of IPTO and General Director of Technology, System Development and Strategy, Mr. Ioannis Margaris, as well as representatives of the contractor companies.
The state-of-the-art interconnection built by IPTO, through its subsidiary Ariadne Interconnection, was implemented with the significant support of the Ministry of Environment and Energy. Leading manufacturers from Greece and Europe participated in the project, specifically Prysmian, Nexans, NKT-Hellenic Cables and Siemens-TERNA.
For Greece’s electrical system and IPTO, the second interconnection of Crete with the mainland, via Attica, constituted an important milestone, the relevant announcement notes.
The new interconnection, which began transferring the first electrical loads to Crete in May 2025, definitively put an end to the island’s energy isolation, strengthening the security and reliability of its electricity supply. At the same time, IPTO’s energy infrastructure improves the overall stability and resilience of the Greek electrical system.
With a transmission capacity of 1,000 MW, it is the island interconnection with the highest capacity in the world, together with Sardinia, and one of the deepest internationally, as the two high-voltage direct current (HVDC) submarine cables, 335 km long and with a voltage of 500 kV, were laid at depths of up to 1,200 meters on the floor of the Aegean.
Due to the shutdown of the local oil-fired units, on which the island’s electricity supply had until recently depended, carbon dioxide emissions are estimated to be reduced by approximately 1.5 million tons annually. Equally important is the economic footprint of the interconnection, as the project is estimated to allow savings on the order of 5 billion euros by 2035, for all consumers in the country, through the reduction of Public Utility Services charges on electricity bills.
The Secretary General for Energy and Mineral Raw Materials, Ms. Despoina Paliarouta, stated: «We are very proud that an energy project of this scale is being awarded. As a Government and Ministry, we consistently support this kind of infrastructure as it is of great importance to the country. Every citizen, every household, business or tourist accommodation in Crete now secures a reliable electricity supply.
At the same time, the operation of the interconnection contributes to reducing energy costs for consumers throughout the country, through the reduction of Public Utility Services charges. I would like to thank IPTO and the contractors, because they provided an excellent example of outstanding cooperation on a particularly demanding project. Many congratulations».
The Vice Chairman of IPTO and General Director of Technology, System Development and Strategy, Mr. Ioannis Margaris, stated: «Today’s award is a great honor for IPTO and Ariadne Interconnection. The Crete-Attica electrical interconnection project belongs to the people of the Operator, to our partners and our contractors.
We managed to complete it in just 4.5 years, a performance that surpasses many similar projects in Europe. This would not have been possible without the unwavering support of the government throughout the construction period, which provided solutions to issues such as financing and licensing. This project is the springboard for the next interconnections that we are planning in the coming years to strengthen Greece’s electrical system and the wider region».
The Crete-Attica interconnection is also seeking an additional distinction, as it is among the finalists for the annual “Regiostars 2026” awards organized by the European Commission (DG Regio) and constitutes the European seal of excellence for the most impactful regional development projects in the EU.
The Crete-Attica electrical interconnection was implemented with co-financing from the YMEPERAA Operational Programme (NSRF 2014-2020) and from the “Environment and Climate Change” Operational Programme of the NSRF 2021–2027, up to the amount of 535.5 million euros.