Construction work is progressing at a rapid pace also on the land-based section of the Crete-Attica electrical interconnection, following the successful completion of the installation of the project’s submarine cables on March 2023. This was found during today’s inspection by the Administration of ADMIE at the construction site of the Conversion Station being built by the Ariadni Interconnection Group subsidiary, in Damasta, Heraklion, Crete.

The President and CEO of ADMIE Mr. Manos Manousakis, the Vice President and General Manager of Technology, System Development and Strategy of ADMIE Mr. Ioannis Margaris, as well as the Mayor of Malevizio Mr. Menelaos Bokeas and the President of Damastas Community Mr. Costas Mavrakis, they were guided by the Project Manager of Ariadni Interconnection, Mr. Angelos Stamatelos, to the sites of the under construction Conversion Station of Crete, which is one of the two ends of the “big” electrical interconnection with the continental system.

The heads of his Administration ADMIE and the Local Government were informed about the rapid construction progress of the Conversion Station, as well as the next steps in the implementation of the country’s largest electricity transmission project, which is expected to be completed in 2024.

“The construction of the electrical interconnection Crete-Attica is in full development and is progressing according to the schedule”, said the President and CEO of ADMIE, Mr. Manos Manousakis. “The laying of submarine cables was completed with complete success in March 2023, thanks to the dedication and hard work of our employees and partners. We are now focusing on the onshore part of the project, which is being built at a rapid pace both on the Crete side and on the Attica side.”

The President of ADMIE expressed his assessment that, despite the technical difficulties of a geological nature that appeared, the construction works carried out at the Damasta construction site will be completed by the end of the year. The import and installation of the electromechanical equipment will begin soon after, “so that at the end of 2024 we can start trial electrification of the new interconnection and complete this project of which we are all proud.”

Mr. Manousakis singled out two of the accompanying projects being implemented on the occasion of the electrical interconnection as, as he said, they will significantly improve the quality of life of the residents in the coming years. In particular, he referred to the opening of roads from the point of sealing the underwater electric cable to Korakia of Heraklion to Damasta Conversion Stationwhich will serve the road connection of the area with BOAK, as well as the upcoming undergrounding of the Transmission Lines in Damasta which will have as an additional positive effect for the residents, the removal of the pylons that are currently located near the village.

In addition, the optical fiber cables installed by Ariadni Interconnection in the context of the two interconnections will significantly strengthen the telecommunication connectivity of Crete, creating opportunities for new international, strategic synergies. “This double interconnection will shield Crete energetically and release its rich renewable potential, making it a strong national and regional electrical hub. Combined with the fiber optic cables we have planted, the island is also developing into an important telecommunications hub. The recent agreements of Grid Telecom with a focus on Crete for the branching of 2AFRICA, the largest undersea fiber optic cable in the world as well as the Greece-Cyprus-Israel telecommunication interconnection, confirm the important role of the island in the movement of data in the wider Eastern region. of the Mediterranean and the Middle East”.

Stable support of ADMIE in the local community

Mr. Manousakis also referred to the constant support that ADMIE provides to the local community of Crete and the kind cooperation that it has developed over the years with the Local Government and the residents of the island, and in particular in the area of ​​Malevizio. “ADMIE is a company under public control that supports local communities, especially in the areas where it operates, and constantly improves its operation based on the principles of sustainable development. Our cooperation with the residents and local authorities here in Crete is exemplary and is constantly getting stronger.”

“ADMIE practically stands by us and we sincerely thank him for that. We are proud that the great interconnection between Crete and Attica, this important infrastructure for the energy security of Crete, is being implemented in our Municipality”, said the Mayor of Malevizi, Mr. Menelaos Bokeas. “As a Local Government we have excellent cooperation with the Administrator for this project which is being carried out under the best possible conditions for the residents of the area”.

In the framework of the Corporate Social Responsibility Program, ADMIE continues to consistently support the Municipality of Malevizi with a wide range of public benefit projects totaling 3.6 million euros (plus VAT), of which approximately half have already been contracted and the remaining projects are being launched at a rapid pace. This program includes, among other things, road projects, mainly the construction of a roundabout on El. Venizelos in Gazi but also maintenance of rural roads, tourist infrastructure such as the development of a network of paths in the Municipality of Malevizi, school and sports facilities, creation of playgrounds, strengthening of infrastructure such as the reconstruction of the Damastas rural clinic, the supply of equipment for two more rural clinics, undergrounding of electric networks, the reconstruction of the central sidewalk of Ag. Pelagia which suffered disasters after last year’s floods, restoration of water supply and drainage networks, etc.

ADMIE also supports critical health structures in Crete with donations of modern medical equipment to the University General Hospital of Heraklion and the “Venizelio” Hospital of Heraklion, while providing scholarships to researchers of the Department of Positive Sciences of the University of Heraklion, consistently supporting the Social Grocery Store of the Municipality of Malevizio and has proceeded to sponsor the local Damastas sports group. In addition, it responds directly to the emergency needs of the residents of the area, as it did in 2021 after the great earthquake in the area of ​​Arkalochori where it provided housing huts to the citizens affected by the earthquake.