Greece Approves Cyprus Power Cable Surveys, Turkey Issues Counter-Notice

Greece authorised marine surveys and cable-laying operations for the planned electricity connection with Cyprus on November 6, 2026, and issued a navigation warning for the research vessel involved. Turkish authorities responded with a competing maritime notice disputing Greek jurisdiction over part of the route, according to a Greek energy publication that reproduced the notices.

The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis signed the authorisation after the interministerial marine-survey committee gave a favourable opinion. French cable contractor Nexans had applied on behalf of Great Sea Interconnector (GSI), the project company. The ministry said the research vessel then requested a NAVTEX notice to mariners, which was issued.

Greek outlet Energygame published the Greek notice, identified as HA15-1411/26, giving the research vessel Abeille Marengo a survey window from November 6, 2026, to March 6, 2027. The publication also reproduced Turkey's counter-NAVTEX, TURNHOS 1105/26, which says part of the announced area falls within a continental shelf claimed by Turkey and that Turkish authorities had not consented to the activity. Those are Turkey's maritime claims, not an adjudicated determination of the boundary.

The notice window is permission and a warning to other vessels, not evidence that the surveys have already begun or that cable installation has been completed. Energygame reported that the research vessel was still at Heraklion and preparing to depart. Its account also quoted Cyprus Energy Minister Michalis Damianos welcoming the notice as a positive development. A counter-notice does not, by itself, establish that the survey vessel has been physically stopped.

The Great Sea Interconnector, estimated at €1.9 billion in Reuters reporting, is intended to connect Cyprus to the wider European electricity grid through Greece. In August, Greece's prime minister's office recorded an agreement for French infrastructure investor Meridiam to become GSI's majority shareholder, alongside an agreement involving the Greek grid operator IPTO, GSI and Nexans on seabed survey work. The permits therefore move a previously agreed project into a new regulatory stage; they are not a new construction award.

In an October 4 statement addressing earlier reporting, Nexans denied having contacted or planning to contact Turkish authorities about the upcoming surveys. It said coordination was with the project promoter and Greek and Cypriot authorities. That statement predates the November notices and should not be treated as a response to the latest Turkish counter-notice.

The next test is whether Abeille Marengo begins the announced work, whether authorities issue any new navigational warnings, and whether the parties clarify the maritime dispute. The Greek ministry's statement establishes approval and the issued NAVTEX; it does not establish a start date for physical work or resolve the competing jurisdictional claims.

Sources: Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, November 6, 2026; Energygame, November 6, 2026; Reuters, November 6, 2026; Nexans statement, October 4, 2026; Greek prime minister's office, August 5, 2026.