The Independent Power Transmission Operator (IPTO) announced a major breakthrough in Greece’s energy sector as its subsidiary, Ariadne Interconnection, successfully completed the Site Acceptance Test (SAT) for the Crete-Attica electrical interconnection cable system.
The tests took place at the Koumoundouros Converter Station in Aspropyrgos, signaling a critical step towards the project’s operational launch.
During the rigorous technical test, engineers charged both poles of the 380-kilometer cable system from one end of the interconnection (Koumoundouros Converter Station) to the other (Damasta Converter Station), confirming flawless functionality across its entire length.
The Crete-Attica interconnection, Greece’s most ambitious Electricity Transmission project, has been under construction since December 2024 and is expected to begin operations in spring 2025. It boasts a project budget exceeding €1.1 billion and incorporates state-of-the-art technology, including bipolar direct current systems with a nominal power of 2x500MW and advanced Voltage Source Converters (VSC).
Preliminary equipment tests and subsystem functional trials began earlier in autumn 2024. With the successful completion of these initial phases, the system acceptance tests, the final and most critical checks, are now underway. These tests are essential to ensure the seamless trial operation of the Converter Stations before the interconnection becomes fully operational.
The Crete-Attica interconnection represents a transformative step in Greece’s energy infrastructure, enhancing electricity reliability, reducing dependence on fossil fuels, and supporting the country’s transition to a more sustainable energy future.
This milestone achievement reinforces Greece’s position as a leader in innovative energy solutions, marking a new era for the nation’s power grid.