Cyprus and Israel unite to eliminate energy isolation through undersea cable
- Cyprus aims to enhance its energy generation capacity to four gigawatts, with support from both conventional and renewable sources.
- The electricity link was confirmed during a meeting between Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
- This collaboration not only seeks to alleviate energy isolation for both countries but also aligns with broader regional economic connectivity goals.
In a significant development for energy collaboration, Cyprus and Israel are actively pursuing the establishment of an undersea electricity linkup aimed at overcoming their respective energy isolations. The proposed project was publicly discussed by Cyprus' Energy Minister George Papanastasiou, who emphasized the importance for Israel to maintain access to Cypriot energy reserves, which include both conventional and renewable resources. As Cyprus sets to boost its energy generation capacity to around four gigawatts from various sources, the initiative represents not just a bilateral agreement but also an alignment of interests that could transform energy access in the region. This electricity link was officially endorsed during talks between Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Their discussions highlighted the strategic geographical position of both countries as natural gateways between Europe and the Middle East. Furthermore, the energy ministers see this link as a part of broader ambitions to develop economic corridors that connect India, the Middle East, and Europe, referred to as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). The IMEC was introduced at the Group of 20 (G20) summit, showing a commitment to enhancing trade and digital connectivity alongside energy cooperation. Netanyahu mentioned engaging with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi about these innovative developments. Such international dialogues indicate a responsiveness to shifting energy landscapes and underscore a collective drive for diversification and resilience in energy supply chains. Meanwhile, Cyprus is also partaking in parallel projects, notably the Great Seas Interconnector (GSI) linking Greece and Cyprus. This €1.94 billion initiative is partially financed by the European Union and aims to further integrate Cyprus into the broader European energy market. However, the project has faced delays due to Turkish objections regarding the cable's planned route, which Turkey claims is within its jurisdiction. The developments regarding both the undersea cable and the GSI showcase Cyprus' proactive measures toward resolving energy issues while enhancing its regional partnerships.