The first phase of the competition is over now that three applications have been sent in. The IPTO-announced tender for the conclusion of the framework agreement for the submarine cable projects for the alternating current interconnections of the Dodecanese and the islands in the north-eastern Aegean Sea is now moving forward.

According to the official announcement, the tender procedure concerns the selection of contractors for the project "Design, Supply, & Installation of Submarine and Underground Cables in the Context of Interconnection Projects between the Islands and ESMIE,"  with the award criterion being the most economically advantageous offer.

Three candidates submitted applications, all of which were positively evaluated, and the second phase of the tender will be launched in the coming days in order to select the contractors who will undertake the project. The duration of the framework agreement is set at six years from the signature of the relevant contract, while the initial budget of the project amounts to EUR 1.717 million (plus VAT).

In addition, the framework agreement will ensure lower prices and save time and resources through a single tender procedure as opposed to separate tenders. The interconnection of the Aegean islands with the mainland system is a key priority in the new 10-year development plan of IPTO 2025-2034.

These critical energy infrastructures of the operator end the electrical isolation of the non-interconnected islands and increase the reliability of their supply while reducing the cost of the energy supplied.

The interconnections of the two island clusters will lead to a drastic reduction of CO2 emissions from polluting local power plants and will contribute to the exploitation of the high potential of renewable energy sources (RES) in the Aegean region.