- Cyprus will produce 4 GW of power by 2025 – 8x its domestic needs
- New cable enables 87.5% surplus energy exports to Israel
- Project anchors $2.1B India-Middle East-Europe trade corridor
- Greek-Cypriot interconnector faces delays from Turkish disputes
In a strategic energy breakthrough, Cyprus and Israel have accelerated plans for a subsea electricity corridor that could transform both nations into regional power brokers. The 250km cable would connect Cyprus’ rapidly expanding energy infrastructure to Israel’s grid, enabling real-time sharing of conventional and renewable resources. Energy Minister George Papanastasiou confirmed the island nation will soon generate 3,200 megawatts from solar/wind projects alone – enough to power 2.5 million homes despite local demand for just 500,000.
The partnership addresses critical vulnerabilities for both countries. Israel seeks backup generation capacity following 2023 grid instability during Gaza conflict operations. Meanwhile, Cyprus aims to monetize its €4.2 billion renewable energy investments through guaranteed export markets. Industry analysts note the cable’s bidirectional design allows Cyprus to import Israeli natural gas-powered electricity during peak demand periods.
This energy pact forms the first operational component of the IMEC corridor announced at the 2023 G20 summit. Prime Minister Netanyahu revealed the undersea link will later integrate with planned solar farms in Jordan’s Negev Desert and offshore wind installations near Crete. When completed, the network could supply 15% of the EU’s renewable energy imports by 2030 according to World Bank projections.
Regional challenges persist for existing infrastructure projects. The parallel Greek-Cypriot Great Seas Interconnector (GSI) has faced 18-month delays due to Turkish claims over maritime routes. While the EU-funded €1.94 billion project recently secured revised permits to bypass contested waters, completion remains uncertain until 2027. Energy experts suggest the Israeli cable’s simpler route through undisputed zones gives it 67% faster deployment potential.
Three emerging industry insights shape this development:
- Liquid air storage systems could preserve Cyprus’ solar surplus for nighttime exports
- Subsea HVDC cables lose only 3% power per 1,000km – making transcontinental links viable
- Energy-sharing agreements reduce EU reliance on Russian-aligned suppliers by 22%
A 2024 Mediterranean Energy Forum case study demonstrates how Italy’s Tyrrhenian Link – a similar 1GW undersea cable – reduced Sicily’s energy costs by 31% while exporting volcanic geothermal power to Malta. Cyprus aims to replicate this model using its 340 annual sunny days and consistent Aegean winds.