Cyprus and Egypt Sign Memorandum of Understanding on Electricity Transmission Network
On the 16th October 2021, Cyprus and Egypt signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on electricity interconnection.
The MOU will facilitate the construction of the €2.5 billion EuroAfrica Interconnector and establishes a general framework of cooperation to enable the planning, permitting, development and implementation of the electricity interconnection which will increase exports of electricity from Cairo to Europe.
The EuroAfrica Interconnector is an energy highway bridging Africa and Europe with a total length of 1670kms. The construction will start from near Damietta in Egypt and take the sub-sea route to Cyprus where it will connect at the Kofinou station. From there it will head west and take a sub-sea route to Korakia point in Crete, Greece and from Greece to rest of the Europe. The EuroAfrica Interconnector will be 1396 kilometers in length (Egypt-Cyprus 498 km; Cyprus-Crete 898km;). Its lowest sub-sea point will be 3,000 meters below sea-level.
The Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry of Cyprus, Ms Natasa Pilides stated that:
“For Cyprus, this electricity interconnection with Egypt, one of our valued strategic allies in the region, has the potential to constitute a cornerstone of our efforts to transition to a green economy, enhancing both countries’ ability to meet our respective commitments under the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.”
The project is expected to impact the economy positively by creating new jobs.