Rio - Antirrion Interconnection
OperationalDomestic ReinforcementGR400 kV60 km2023
Basic information
6 fieldsAlso Known As
Rio–Antirrio 400 kV · Rio-Antirrio interconnection · Διασύνδεση Ρίου-Αντιρρίου · Rio–Antirio 400kV submarine cable · Rio–Antirrio (Ρίο–Αντίρριο) 400 kV · Rio-Antirrion Interconnection · Rio–Antirrio submarine interconnection · Rio–Antirrio Intercon
Status
operational
Owners
Project Company
Type
domestic reinforcement
Website
Supply Chain (3)
Project Timeline (6)
13 Jun 2023Commercial Operations Full Power
IPTO (the Greek transmission operator) placed the Western Corridor transmission line into full operation on 13 June 2023, marking the first time the Peloponnese was interconnected to Greece’s 400 kV Extra High Voltage System. As part of this corridor, a 400 kV dual‑circuit submarine interconnection between Rio and Antirrio—implemented by Hellenic Cables with design, manufacturing, installation, protection and connection of an 18 km submarine and associated land cable system—began full commercial service, enhancing power transfer capability to and from the Peloponnese and improving security and stability of the southern grid.
2019Geophysical Survey Complete
In 2019, a seabed geophysical survey was carried out along the planned route between Rio and Antirrio for the Rio–Antirrion interconnection, using techniques including Vibrocorer and CPT, to support cable route design for the installation of six high-voltage submarine cables for IPTO, with Fulgor and Hellenic Cable Industry involved in the project.
26 Aug 2019Cable Installation Complete
On 26 August 2019, the joint venture of Hellenic Cables and Fulgor completed laying the extra‑high voltage 400 kV submarine cable interconnection between Rio and Antirrion for the Independent Hellenic Transmission Operator (IPTO/ADMIE), marking completion of the submarine cable section of the 400 kV system extension to the Peloponnese. This Rio–Antirrion link forms part of the “West Corridor” project connecting the Megalopolis Extra High Voltage Center via Patras to the existing 400 kV Acheloos–Distomo transmission line.
12 Nov 2018Cable Supplier Selected
Independent Hellenic Transmission Operator (IPTO/ADMIE) awarded Cablel Hellenic Cables–Fulgor an approximately EUR 29 million contract and Hellenic Cables an approximately EUR 18 million contract to design, manufacture, supply and install about 18 km of 400 kV single-core submarine cables with optical fibres and 42 km of 400 kV land cables for the Rio–Antirrion interconnection in Greece. The awards cover turnkey delivery, including cable laying, protection operations, and connection at the Rio and Antirrion landing points, with manufacturing at Fulgor’s Soussaki plant and Hellenic Cables’ Thiva plant, marking Hellenic Cables’ first 400 kV submarine cable project and the first such cable in Greece.
1 Oct 2018Onshore Construction Start
According to ADMIE’s 2018 annual report, construction works for the Rio–Antirrion interconnection commenced during the October–December 2018 period, marking the start of implementation of this section of the National Interconnected Transmission System.
1 Oct 2018Cable Installation Start
In Q4 2018, ADMIE (IPTO) commenced works on the Rion–Antirrion interconnection, marking the start of construction activities for the project. The interconnection involves installation and protection of six single-core 400 kV XLPE HVAC submarine power cables and associated underground sections between Rion (Peloponnese) and Antirrion (Sterea Hellas), with Fulgor S.A. as cable contractor and Asso executing subsea cable laying, protection, pre-lay mattress installation, pre-excavation and onshore pull-in operations.