Serious issues regarding transparency and practicality inregarding electricity prices for Cypriot consumers and whether the GSI is technically feasible were raised in today’s interview on Alpha on Sunday by electrical engineer and member of ETEK, Iakovos Charalambous, in an interview today on Alpha Sunday.
“While Nexans may have completed the certification of the cable system in 2026, it is a contractor on the project. Therefore, the certification does not in and of itself constitute an independent assessment of the entire project. Furthermore, the cable certification does not automatically cover all the risks associated with the approximately 900-kilometer route.”
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SEE ALSO: Iakovos Charalambous: “There is no up-to-date, independent study on the GSI”
When asked whether the funding requests made so far resemble a carriage being put before the horses, Mr. Charalambous notes that without these requests, even the older feasibility studies would not have been possible, while emphasizing, however, that the question is not unfounded, given the many unanswered questions surrounding the project.
“Alarm Bells” for GSI
Today’s article in the newspaper “Kathimerini” discusses the possibility of the GSI project moving forward, leaving Cyprus out of the plans.
According to the article, consideration is being given to either building a cable that would connect Greece directly to Israel or a cable that would connect Israel to the Greece-Egypt interconnector.
“We refute such reports; the GSI will certainly pass through Cyprus as planned, followed by the Cyprus–Crete and then the Cyprus–Israel sections.”
Michalis Damianos – Minister of Energy
It is worth noting that yesterday’s remarks by the former U.S. ambassador to Athens, Geoffrey Pyatt, indicate that the government’s stance does indeed raise questions, while also confirming the obstacles posed to the project by Turkey.
“The most central problem is the stance of the Cypriot government and the domestic political landscape in the country.”
Fuel Prices
The Minister of Energy also addressed the rising fuel prices, setting a deadline for the government to take action to curb them by the end of September.
“By the 17th, some kind of decision must be made so that we can keep these costs in check. Fuel prices had dropped over the summer following discussions on pricing in the East, but they have risen due to the current situation; and there will be these fluctuations due to the situation in the Middle East, which no one in the world can control.”
READ ALSO: How the government plans to “curb” fuel prices; decisions expected by September 17
Michalis Damianos pointed out that, given the state’s financial situation, the government has tools to keep prices in check, noting that thanks to these tools, fuel prices in the country—despite having risen—are among the lowest in Europe.
Watch the report by Neoklis Neokleous:
