The progress of her work electricity interconnection of Crete-Attica, as well as the required projects to strengthen the high voltage system on the island were examined yesterday in Heraklion, at the meeting held by representatives of the Local Self-Government with the administration of ADMIE.

ADMIE executives, as stated in a statement, presented the new 150 KV transmission line Chania – Damasta, the timely completion of which will contribute to the large interconnection of Crete – Attica being fully operational in 2025.

Present at the meeting were Maria Kozyraki, secretary of the Decentralized Administration of Crete, Regional Governor Stavros Arnautakis, Deputy Regional Governors Nikos Kalogeris and Nikos Xylouris, as well as the mayors of Chania Panagiotis Simandirakis, Apokorona Charalambos Koukianakis, Rethymnon Giorgis Marinakis, Amariou Pantelis Mourtzanos, Mylopotas my George Klados and Maleviziou Menelaos Bokeas, through whose territory the new line passes.

During his presentation, the president and managing director of ADMIE Manos Manousakis emphasized that the Chania-Damasta line should be treated as part of the wider project of connecting Crete with the continental system. He also underlined the critical importance of the timely completion of the new line to ensure the stability of the island’s electrical system and avoid blackouts. Stability is a critical issueespecially during the summer months when the demand for electricity spikes, as well as in extreme weather conditions, which are becoming more and more frequent.

With reference to the reservations expressed by the municipal authorities regarding the project of the Chania-Damasta line, the managers of the Operator explained in detail why the aerial route of the line is preferred over the undergrounding, which, after all, has already been done on 35 km of lines in Crete for the service of the small interconnection with the Peloponnese in the period 2019-2020, as well as why the only additional undergrounding that is technically feasible for the Chania – Damasta line reaches 5 km.

Full basement it not only endangers the proper operation of the equipment, but significantly delays the interconnection project as a whole, as it will require a new technical study. In addition, it will increase the cost of implementing the project, which Greek consumers will have to pay, to unimaginable amounts.

The officials of the ADMIE cited all the criteria taken into account by the Administrator during the planning phase of the project (boundaries of settlements, natura areas, archaeological sites, coke) as well as the – technically feasible – changes he implemented in the routing at the request of the competent bodies, with a view to not jeopardizing the rapid and more economical implementation of the project.

From now on, the changes that may be made to the design of the project are only of a partial nature as larger modifications will lead to serious delays, with significant implications for the island’s energy security.

In conclusion, the new Chania-Damasta line strengthens the electrical interconnection between Western Crete and the rest of the island, ensuring its electrical supply, even in the event of a breakdown of the small Crete-Peloponnese interconnection. In addition, it removes the polluting units from the island and ensures a low cost of electricity production.

The administration of ADMIE and the self-governing bodies of the island are in constant cooperation and communication for the promotion of this important project, which will first and foremost ensure the energy security of Crete.