The Greek Minister of Environment and Energy, Stavros Papastavrou, has categorically denied reports about a change in the routing of the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI), the electrical interconnection between Greece and Cyprus.
Speaking to the Athens News Agency - Macedonian Press Agency, Papastavrou described the information about changing the route of the submarine cable as "completely inaccurate", essentially clarifying that the design of the project is not changing due to the Turkish marine park in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Regarding the drilling and surveys planned for the coming period, Papastavrou emphasised that during his contacts in New York with representatives of Chevron and ExxonMobil, the planning was confirmed.
“In the contacts I had in New York with representatives of both Chevron and ExxonMobil, it was confirmed that the milestones we have set for the surveys will be met,” he noted. This concerns, as he clarified, both Chevron’s seismic surveys and drilling by Energean, HELLENiQ ENERGY and ExxonMobil.
He noted that seismic surveys are planned to start in the Ionian Sea and continue south of the Peloponnese and Crete. The consortium's exploration drilling is scheduled in the northwestern Ionian Sea for early 2027.
Also read: The GSI file: How much will it ultimately cost Cyprus?
