Successful completion of the record-breaking Crete Interconnection

Athens, 24 May 2021

Hellenic Cables, the cable segment of Cenergy Holdings, and Independent Power Transmission Operator (IPTO) announce the successful electrification of the 178 km-long submarine and underground electrical interconnection between Crete and Peloponnese, one of the most demanding projects ever completed worldwide. Its successful completion marks the first step for Crete’s transition to clean energy.

The project, aiming at the replacement of Crete’s conventional polluting power plants, includes the turnkey design, supply and installation of a 150kV composite submarine and underground cable system for the interconnection of Crete, Greece’s larger island, with the mainland power supply grid. This first subsea interconnection of Crete to the mainland is also the longest cable HVAC interconnection worldwide (approx. 178 Km) and the deepest one. The laying of the submarine cables was at water depths up to 1,000 m.

During the implementation of the project, Hellenic Cables has embedded significant innovations both in the design of the cable itself as well as for its laying, through advanced and state-of-the-art installation developed especially for this project. Additionally to the record water depth of 1,000m, Hellenic Cables successfully addressed the challenges posed by the highly diversified submarine environment and seabed conditions, comprising of high and steep seabed slopes, sharp rocky outcrops and pockmarks at multiple locations. Moreover, three different types of cable protection systems were custom-designed in terms of water depth, geomorphology and geohazards along the length of 135km.

The successful completion of the project highlights Hellenic Cables’ commitment to deliver top quality and long-lasting cable solutions and reaffirms its ability to successfully respond to the most demanding and challenging projects.

Mr. Alexios Alexiou, CEO of Cenergy Holdings and Hellenic Cables commented: “We are proud that IPTO trusted us once again and especially in such an important and demanding project as the interconnection of Crete – Peloponnese. Hellenic Cables through the adoption of innovative solutions managed to overcome the challenges of Aegean Sea and to prove its strong commitment and reliability in the execution of demanding turnkey projects.”

Mr. Manos Manousakis, Chairman & CEO of IPTO, stated: “Crete-Peloponnese electrical interconnection is the capstone of the collective effort put both by the people of IPTO and our vendors. Hellenic Cables is an established partner of IPTO in implementing our ambitious subsea interconnections program in the Aegean Sea. The future of energy transition in Greece passes through the sea and, with this project, IPTO proves that owns the know-how necessary to meet the most demanding electrical interconnection projects to be implemented in the country in the years to come.”

Hellenic Cables is one of the largest cable producers in Europe, manufacturing power and telecom cables as well as submarine cables for various industries, including offshore wind and utilities, as well as undertaking turnkey power transmission and distribution projects. Through its fully owned subsidiary Fulgor, Hellenic Cables operates its submarine cables plant in Corinth, Greece, where the production and testing of some of the longest submarine cable lengths without factory joints on a worldwide basis is empowered by the Company’s state-of-the-art facilities and equipment. Since 2012, Hellenic Cables has implemented a EUR 250 million-investment plan for the production of high and extra high-voltage submarine cables at Corinth plant. Hellenic Cables represents the cable production segment of Cenergy Holdings SA. For further information, please visit Hellenic Cables website at www.hellenic-cables.com.

Cenergy Holdings is a Belgian holding company listed on both Euronext Brussels and Athens Stock Exchange, investing in leading industrial companies, focusing on the growing global demand of energy transfer, renewables and data transmission. The Cenergy Holdings portfolio consists of Corinth Pipeworks and Hellenic Cables, companies positioned at the forefront of their respective high growth sectors. Corinth Pipeworks is a world leader in steel pipe manufacturing for the oil and gas sector and major producer of steel hollow sections for the construction sector. Hellenic Cables is one of the largest cable producers in Europe, manufacturing power and telecom cables as well as submarine cables for the aforementioned sectors. For more information about our company, please visit our website at www.cenergyholdings.com.