Turkey-Cyprus power cable links Akkuyu & Teknecik lines

Turkish Cypriot Economy and Energy Minister Sunat Atun announced the route of the new interconnected power line between Turkey and North Cyprus on Monday.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency in an interview, Atun said the power line would be laid between a new transformer station based in Akkuyu in southern Mersin province and the Teknecik transformer station located in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

He also confirmed that the final agreement on the project will be signed in a few months between Turkey and the Northern Cyprus. An energy protocol was signed to build the cable on Oct. 11, 2016 during the World Energy Congress in Istanbul.

The agreement not only includes the construction of the interconnected system but also involves the renewal of electricity infrastructure, development of electricity supply security, mutual cooperation on renewable energy, the application of electricity regulations as well as exploration of new oil and natural gas resources.

"The final agreement will be signed before 2018, and following the agreement construction will start the very next day," Atun said.

The power line's route will differ from that of the water supply project between Turkey and North Cyprus, which was realized a few years ago. This project supplies 30 million cubic meters of water every year.

"Construction of the cable will take one and a half years, and laying the cable will require two months," he said. However, he explained that this timeframe could be cut down to six months if the cable does not have to be manufactured from scratch, and an alternative ready-to-lay cable can be found.

Atun explained that 98 percent of electricity production in TRNC is based on fuel-oil combined cycle plants. Such production causes air pollution and negatively impacts the environment in the country whose economy is heavily reliant on tourism.

"The power cable will supply sustainability for TRNC, not only for the environment but also financially."

"TRNC pays $100 million for 2,000 tons of fuel oil every year. Fluctuations in the exchange rate and international price differentiations can change the electricity production cost. However, we will be able to receive electricity from Turkey based on a fixed price," Atun confirmed.

Turkey, a benefactor and protector of the TRNC since the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation and the TRNC’s establishment in 1983, has long planned to provide fresh water to the island, which is short of its own water resources. With this cable, cooperation will now be extended to electricity.

"Bringing electricity not only to the Turkish Cypriots but also to the Greek Cypriots"

Atun asserts that the supply of electricity to Cyprus via a sub-sea cable will contribute to the solution to the Cyprus issue.

The Eastern Mediterranean Island has been divided since 1974, when a Greek Cypriot coup was followed by violence against the island's Turks, and Ankara's intervention as a guarantor power.

"Electricity trade is a constructive factor and develops mutual trust. Currently, we supply and receive electricity to/from the Greek Cypriot administration to meet the demand via three electricity interconnection links," he said.

He noted that the Greek Cypriot administration also produces its electricity from fuel oil and faces similar production and pollution problems.

"The electricity cable from Turkey can supply the entire electricity demand of TRNC. Supplies can be made to not only to the Turkish Cypriots but also to the Greek Cypriots, which can contribute to the Cyprus issue," he added.

Last week, Turkey's Energy and Natural Resources Minister Berat Albayrak said the Akkuyu nuclear power plant's construction would start at the end of this year or at the beginning of next year at the latest.