EXPLORING THE POLITICAL DYNAMICS OF THE EUROASIA, EUROAFRICA AND TÜRKİYE-NORTH CYPRUS INTERCONNECTOR PROJECTS: IMPLICATIONS FOR CYPRUS

The document analyzes three major electricity interconnector projects: the EuroAsia Interconnector (linking Israel, Cyprus, and Greece), the EuroAfrica Interconnector (linking Egypt to Europe via Cyprus), and the Türkiye-North Cyprus Interconnector. It highlights that while these projects aim to end the energy isolation of Cyprus and Israel and enhance regional energy security, they are complicated by geopolitical tensions and financing challenges. The author proposes four scenarios for implementation, ranging from maintaining political divides to a 'regional interdependency' model that uses energy infrastructure to build mutual trust. The paper argues that prioritizing interoperability and inclusive policies—specifically including the Turkish Cypriot community in decision-making—could transform Cyprus into a regional energy hub and support a peaceful settlement of the Cyprus Problem.

• The EuroAsia Interconnector aims to connect Israel, Cyprus, and Greece via a 1,208 km subsea HVDC cable to end Cyprus's energy isolation and help the EU meet a 15% cross-border electricity interconnection target by 2030. It has the potential to reduce CO2 emissions by 1.3 to 6.8 million tonnes annually, representing 21% to 110% of Cyprus's total emissions.
• The EuroAfrica Interconnector is designed to link Egypt's electricity grids to Europe via Cyprus, utilizing Egypt's solar and wind potential. However, because Egypt aims to export power within five years, financial delays in the Cyprus-linked project could lead Egypt to prioritize alternative direct links to Greece, such as the 3-GW GREGY or 2-GW GAP projects.
• The Türkiye-North Cyprus Interconnector project, proposed in 2016, involves a cable between Akkuyu in Mersin and Teknecik in northern Cyprus. While the project remains on Türkiye's agenda and a recent MoU with AKSA Energy specifies that AKSA will handle financing, there have been ongoing concerns regarding the project's funding.
• The author identifies significant technical risks for the EuroAsia and EuroAfrica projects, noting that their lowest points reach 3,000 meters deep and they are designed as the longest subsea cables in the world, making them susceptible to marine geohazards and subduction zone earthquakes.
• The EuroAsia Interconnector presents legal and political risks regarding the Palestinian Authority, as it may enable electricity exchange with Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, potentially conflicting with 2013 EU guidelines on the eligibility of Israeli entities in occupied territories.
• The author argues for a 'regional interdependency' scenario where a Türkiye-Cyprus interconnector is built based on the whole island's demand, utilizing the existing north-south interconnector to connect the entire island to Türkiye and Europe, thereby fostering mutual trust and strategic cooperation.

APA

SULUN, E. E. (2023). EXPLORING THE POLITICAL DYNAMICS OF THE EUROASIA, EUROAFRICA AND TÜRKİYE-NORTH CYPRUS INTERCONNECTOR PROJECTS: IMPLICATIONS FOR CYPRUS. Peace Research Institute Oslo. https://cdn.cloud.prio.org/files/4e9d9308-ed35-419e-9ca7-5bbf0fb53159/7OP 23 EXPLORING THE POLITICAL DYNAMICS.pdf?inline=true

Chicago

SULUN, EMINE EMINEL. EXPLORING THE POLITICAL DYNAMICS OF THE EUROASIA, EUROAFRICA AND TÜRKİYE-NORTH CYPRUS INTERCONNECTOR PROJECTS: IMPLICATIONS FOR CYPRUS. Peace Research Institute Oslo, 2023. https://cdn.cloud.prio.org/files/4e9d9308-ed35-419e-9ca7-5bbf0fb53159/7OP 23 EXPLORING THE POLITICAL DYNAMICS.pdf?inline=true.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=SULUN |first1=EMINE EMINEL |title=EXPLORING THE POLITICAL DYNAMICS OF THE EUROASIA, EUROAFRICA AND TÜRKİYE-NORTH CYPRUS INTERCONNECTOR PROJECTS: IMPLICATIONS FOR CYPRUS |publisher=Peace Research Institute Oslo |date=2023 |url=https://cdn.cloud.prio.org/files/4e9d9308-ed35-419e-9ca7-5bbf0fb53159/7OP 23 EXPLORING THE POLITICAL DYNAMICS.pdf?inline=true |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{sulun2023exploring, author = {SULUN, EMINE EMINEL}, title = {{EXPLORING THE POLITICAL DYNAMICS OF THE EUROASIA, EUROAFRICA AND TÜRKİYE-NORTH CYPRUS INTERCONNECTOR PROJECTS: IMPLICATIONS FOR CYPRUS}}, institution = {Peace Research Institute Oslo}, year = {2023}, url = {https://cdn.cloud.prio.org/files/4e9d9308-ed35-419e-9ca7-5bbf0fb53159/7OP 23 EXPLORING THE POLITICAL DYNAMICS.pdf?inline=true}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }