In a bold move to reshape the energy landscape of Europe and Africa, Greece and Egypt have reaffirmed their commitment to a monumental undersea electricity cable project. This ambitious initiative aims to transmit renewable energy from North Africa to Europe, marking a significant step towards sustainable energy collaboration between the two continents.
The proposed undersea cable, stretching approximately 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) across the eastern Mediterranean, is designed to carry 3,000 megawatts of electricity. Primarily harnessing solar and wind power generated in Egypt, the project is expected to supply low-cost renewable energy to Europe. With an estimated cost of €4 billion ($4.5 billion), the venture has garnered support from the European Union, aligning with its strategy to diversify energy sources and reduce reliance on Russian energy following geopolitical tensions.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi highlighted the strategic importance of the project during their meeting in Athens. Mitsotakis emphasized the potential for Greece and Europe to import competitively produced wind energy from Egypt, while el-Sissi described the initiative as a strategic regional project that creates a direct link extending to Europe via Greece. The project is spearheaded by Greece’s Copelouzos Group and is slated to become operational within five years.
The cable, once completed, will be one of the most ambitious energy infrastructure projects between Europe and Africa. The Copelouzos Group reports that the transmission line will have the capacity to power up to 2 million homes in Europe, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions by replacing fossil fuel-generated electricity with renewable sources. It is projected to offset over 7 million tons of carbon dioxide annually.
This initiative is not just about transferring energy; it’s about strengthening economic and political ties across the Mediterranean. The two leaders also signed agreements to deepen cooperation in various sectors, including defense, finance, and culture. An additional agreement will facilitate expanded seasonal employment for Egyptian workers in Greece, enhancing people-to-people connections and labor mobility.
The project has already attracted considerable international attention. The European Commission has listed it among the “Projects of Common Interest,” making it eligible for EU funding. According to industry analysts, the project could act as a catalyst for future investment in transcontinental green energy infrastructure. Several European energy companies have expressed interest in collaborating or investing in the venture, seeing it as a gateway to a stable and renewable energy supply from Africa.
The environmental implications are equally significant. Egypt, with its vast deserts and consistent sunshine, is ideally suited for solar energy production. By 2030, Egypt plans to generate 42% of its electricity from renewable sources, and this cable project is a cornerstone in achieving that goal. Meanwhile, Europe is aggressively pushing to meet its 2050 net-zero emissions target, and importing clean energy from Africa fits squarely within that roadmap.
Security and technical feasibility have also been paramount concerns. According to the developers, the cable will be buried under the seabed to avoid damage from maritime activities. It will incorporate state-of-the-art high-voltage direct current (HVDC) technology, minimizing energy losses over long distances and ensuring high reliability. Environmental impact assessments have been completed, and both governments have pledged to adhere to international standards to mitigate ecological disruption during construction.
From an economic perspective, the deal is expected to be mutually beneficial. Greece, which has ambitions of becoming a regional energy hub, will benefit from transit fees and strategic energy access. For Egypt, the project offers a lucrative export avenue and an opportunity to further its role as a major player in the global green energy market. Job creation is another major plus, with thousands of engineering, technical, and administrative positions expected to emerge during the construction phase.
Experts believe that this project is just the beginning. With similar interconnector projects such as the EuroAfrica and EuroAsia Interconnectors already in planning or development phases, the Mediterranean is poised to become a crucial corridor for green energy flow. If successful, this Greece-Egypt venture could pave the way for a network of energy bridges between Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. As the world grapples with the intertwined crises of energy security and climate change, this undersea cable project between Greece and Egypt offers a glimpse of what global cooperation can achieve. It exemplifies how technology, diplomacy, and shared environmental goals can come together to illuminate a sustainable path forward. And while it might be plugging the Sahara into Europe quite literally, it’s also plugging a developing region into the future of global energy leadership.
