French company Nexans is conducting a seabed survey as construction of the Great Sea Interconnector cable continues, Energy Minister George Papanastasiou said on Thursday.
Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency after a meeting with company reps in Nicosia earlier in the morning, he said both the survey and cable construction were happening simultaneously.
“They informed us that a seabed survey is ongoing from Cyprus to Crete and from Crete to Cyprus, using two different vessels,” he said. One vessel is operating in Greece and the other in Cyprus, with both expected to enter international waters in the coming days.
Based on the survey findings, Nexans will determine the specific corridors through which the two cables will pass. These cables, each about 15 cm in diameter, will be laid in separate corridors rather than side by side, Papanastasiou noted.
Two of the company’s factories, one in Norway and one in Japan, are working “at an intensive pace” to produce the cables to meet the project’s “pressing” timelines, he said.
“The project as it stands today is on schedule which is agreed with the implementing agency (Admie),” Papanastasiou said.
The contract with Nexans consists of three phases: the seabed survey, cable construction, and cable installation. Papanastasiou noted that the company expects to start laying the first kilometers of the cable in 2026.
Nexans representatives also assured that, barring significant changes, no cost adjustments are expected, although this will be re-evaluated as the project progresses.
More than 30 individuals make up the project team involved in the planning.
Asked if any problems are expected when the ships enter international waters, the minister said the meeting covered technical issues and issues more related to project planning and progress to date.
