The proposed electrical interconnection between Cyprus and Greece represents a significant opportunity for Cyprus, both politically and in terms of energy independence, according to U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources Geoffrey Pyatt.
Speaking at a roundtable discussion organized by the Delphi Economic Forum during the COP29 summit in Baku, Mr. Pyatt emphasized the transformative potential of the project for the region.
“This connection will resolve a number of pressing issues, including the fact that Cyprus remains the only EU member state without an electrical interconnection,” Mr. Pyatt said.
The project, part of the broader Greece-Cyprus-Israel Great Sea Interconnector initiative, will integrate Cyprus into the European energy grid, bolstering its energy security and reducing its isolation.
Mr. Pyatt, who previously served as U.S. ambassador to Athens, also highlighted Greece's pivotal role as a regional energy hub.
He pointed to critical projects such as the natural gas vertical corridor, which will enable bi-directional gas flows linking Greece with Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Moldova, and Ukraine. The corridor leverages existing and new European gas and LNG infrastructure to enhance regional energy resilience.
“This interconnection is a testament to the region’s commitment to building a more secure, sustainable, and interconnected energy future,” Mr. Pyatt said.
The Greece-Cyprus-Israel electrical link, coupled with the vertical gas corridor, underscores the strategic significance of Greece and Cyprus in advancing Europe’s energy goals while strengthening geopolitical ties in the Eastern Mediterranean.