In February 2026, ADMIE commenced preliminary construction works for upgrading the Ionian Islands’ 150 kV interconnections, including the Lefkada–Cephalonia section of approximately 14.8 km, with new submarine and underground high‑voltage cables. These early works, part of a €99.8 million project to replace the decades‑old links and enhance supply reliability for Kefalonia, Zakynthos and Lefkada, mark the start of onshore construction activities for the South Ionian Interconnection: Lefkada–Cephalonia.
The laying of the new 150 kV submarine power cable between Kefalonia and Lefkada, part of the 99.8 million euro upgrade of the Ionian Islands interconnections, was completed using four specialised cable-laying vessels, including the DP-II Atalanti. The new 14.8 km Lefkada–Kefalonia link will enhance the energy security and reliability of the electrical network for Kefalonia, Zakynthos and Lefkada, while also incorporating optical fibres for telecommunications use.
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The South Ionian Interconnection project upgrades the 150 kV HVAC submarine connection between the islands of Lefkada and Kefalonia in western Greece, forming part of IPTO/ADMIE's wider Ionian Islands distribution network reinforcement programme. The project comprises a single ~14.8 km 150 kV sub...
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Lefkada–Cephalonia interconnection, Lefkada–Kefalonia 150 kV interconnection, Kefalonia–Lefkada interconnection, Διασύνδεση Λευκάδας-Κεφαλονιάς, Διασύνδεση Λευκάδας-Κεφαλονιά, South Ionian Interconnection Lefkada–Cephalonia, Lefkada–Kefalonia (Ionian) interconnector
In February 2026, IPTO (ADMIE) commenced installation of the new 150 kV subsea cable between Lefkada and Cephalonia as part of the upgrade of the Ionian Islands’ electrical interconnections. The DP II Atalanti cable‑laying vessel arrived in the Ionian Sea to begin the critical phase of laying the new submarine cable in the strait between Cephalonia and Lefkada, a month‑long operation involving divers working at depths exceeding 300 metres to position the cable with high precision.
By 4 November 2025, energy and marine consultancy ABL had been appointed by Hellenic Cables as the marine warranty survey services provider to support installation of the upgraded 150 kV interconnectors between Kefalonia–Zakynthos and Lefkada–Kefalonia, covering the South Ionian Interconnection: Lefkada–Cephalonia segment. Under this contract, ABL’s France office leads the project with support from its Greek office for site attendances, marine surveys of the installation fleet, and technical document review, as Hellenic Cables oversees production, loading, transport, and offshore installation of about 38 km of submarine cables for completion in 2026.
Hellenic Cables announced on 7 November 2024 that it had been awarded a turnkey contract by IPTO to design, supply and install 150 kV XLPE underground and submarine cables for the Kefalonia-Zakynthos and Lefkada-Kefalonia interconnections, confirming selection as cable supplier for the Lefkada-Kefalonia project.
On 7 November 2024, Hellenic Cables (the cables segment of Cenergy Holdings) signed a turnkey contract with IPTO/ADMIE for the design, supply and installation of two new 150 kV submarine cable interconnections in the Greek Ionian Islands, including the 14.8 km Lefkada-Kefalonia link and the 20.4 km Kefalonia-Zakynthos link. The contract is part of IPTO's approximately €99.8 million Ionian Islands 150 kV upgrade programme, co-funded through IPTO's regulated CAPEX and the wider Greek transmission investment plan, and covers engineering, procurement, manufacture at Hellenic Cables' Corinth and Thiva plants, transport, laying of the submarine sections and installation of the onshore underground connections to the existing 150 kV substations on each island. As with other IPTO/ADMIE TSO-led projects (e.g. Cyclades Phase D, Kyllini-Zakynthos), there is no traditional external project-finance FID moment for this programme; the turnkey EPC contract signing commits the capital and functions as the effective financial close for the Lefkada-Kefalonia interconnection upgrade.
On 4 August 2023, IPTO published its Ten-Year Network Development Plan 2023–2032, which includes an Ionian Islands investment programme of approximately €100 million by 2025 covering several projects, among them the upgrade of the 150 kV Lefkada–Kefalonia interconnection. This confirms dedicated capital allocation within IPTO’s wider investment plan to enhance the security and reliability of supply to the Ionian Islands via strengthened links to the mainland system.
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