Turkey-North Cyprus electricity cable to be linked in 2017

ISTANBUL - Anadolu Agency

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Speaking at the World Energy Congress in Istanbul, Atun said the energy protocol signed between Turkey and the TRNC on the sidelines of the congress is a framework agreement, which “includes the construction of interconnected system, mutual cooperation on renewable energy and exploration of oil and natural gas resources.”



Turkey and the TRNC had earlier signed another energy agreement in 2011, in which exploration and drilling activities took place back then in the eastern part of the island.



“Then, in 2014 it was decided that a well would be drilled in the Güzelyurt district but the planned drilling was never realized as the project was not on the agenda of the government of that time,” Atun noted.



Turkey and the TRNC signed an energy protocol on Oct. 11 that foresees the construction of an undersea electricity cable link between the two countries.



The agreement includes the renewal of electricity infrastructure, development of electricity supply security, the construction of interconnected system, mutual cooperation on renewable energy, the application of regulations in the electricity area as well as exploration of new oil and natural gas resources.



“We have expressed a common will with [Turkish Energy Minister] Mr. Albayrak. Because of this willingness, we will not waste our time and we will start work as soon as possible. We hope to have the cable ready in 2017,” he added.



Atun elaborated on the plans for the undersea electricity cable and said a joint study group will be formed, which will determine the capacity of the undersea cable and the electricity cable, the method of construction for the project and the route of the cable.



However, he also underlined that the project was closely linked to developments in the wider Eastern Mediterranean region.



“We need to make projections by looking at our onshore potential and the exploratory work that has been done, as well as the offshore potential of our waters through seismic explorations,” Atun said.



He brought attention to the fact that Greek Cyprus has granted authorization for assessments in many areas of both different countries and different companies.



The Greek Cypriot administration signed a protocol with Egypt in August that will allow construction of a gas pipeline going underneath Mediterranean. It also announced a tender for new hydrocarbon exploration offshore the long-divided Mediterranean Island on March 24. The call for bids, which concluded on June 22, was to award licenses for blocks 6, 8 and 10.

Work will begin as soon as possible for the interconnected electricity cable between Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), TRNC Economy and Energy Minister Sunat Atun told state-run Anadolu Agency on Oct. 11.