NICOSIA – Cyprus – the only country in the 27-member European Union without a connection to the bloc’s electricity grid – may not be hooked up after all because an underwater cable line is stuck in a bureaucratic gridlock with Greece.

The Great Sea Interconnector (GSI) electricity cable is overseen by the Independent Power Transmission Operator of Greece (ADMIE) and faces delays and regulatory disputes, likely needing political intervention, said Kathimerini.

The Cyprus Regulatory Authority (RAEK) recently issued decisions that obstruct ADMIE’s progress on the project, causing friction between the two entities, the report said of the stalemate that’s ongoing.

ADMIE officials were said to be upset with the rulings from RAEK and warned the whole project could collapse unless a solution is found, the report said, as Cyprus is facing worries about energy, electricity costs and solar production.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has taken up the matter with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides to figure out a solution, no explanation why with their authority they couldn’t direct one quickly to end the brouhaha.

The countries’ energy ministers are also talking about the project that’s at risk, no clarification of what RAEK wants or why it’s said to be holding it up as it’s vital to the island’s energy needs.

The EU has given 657 million euros ($711 million) which could be withdrawn if the deadlock persists, the report said, adding that  ADMIE anticipated cost recovery fees from Cypriot electricity consumers starting January 2025.

That was considered critical for the project to go ahead but RAEK’s decision to delay has raised worries about whether it’s financially viable unless an answer can be found to get it back on track fast.