Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi reaffirmed their commitment on Wednesday to the ambitious undersea electricity interconnection that aims to transport renewable energy from North Africa to Europe. This initiative is designed to enhance regional energy security and sustainability.
The talks in Athens, which followed the signing of several cooperation agreements across sectors such as energy, employment, and defence, centred on the 3,000-megawatt power cable project. The cable, which will span nearly 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) across the eastern Mediterranean, is supported by the European Union and is eligible for significant EU funding. The project is expected to cost approximately €4 billion ($4.5 billion) and become operational within five years.
“This will enable both Greece and Europe to import low-cost energy, primarily wind power, which Egypt can produce very competitively, and export it to Europe,” Mitsotakis said in a joint statement with el-Sissi.
The project, which involves private sector participation, including Greece’s Copelouzos Group, will transmit solar and wind energy generated in Egypt for export to Europe.
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President el-Sissi highlighted the strategic importance of the initiative. “This is not merely a bilateral project—it is a strategic undertaking with regional and international significance. It marks the first direct link for clean energy from Egypt to Europe via Greece,” he stated. “We rely on continued EU support for this ambitious project.”
The European Union has shown strong interest in expanding energy cooperation with non-member states to diversify its energy mix, particularly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the EU’s efforts to reduce reliance on Russian energy supplies.
In addition to energy, the two leaders discussed regional security, migration, and strengthening Egypt’s relationship with the EU.
“Greece is a steadfast ally of Egypt, particularly in advancing your country’s ties with the European Union,” Mitsotakis remarked.
The summit concluded with agreements to explore additional energy initiatives, expand seasonal employment opportunities for Egyptian workers in Greece, and deepen cooperation in finance, defence, and culture.
