Chairman and CEO of IPTO M. Manousakis honored by IENE

For his contribution to the implementation of the country's electrical interconnections

Mr. Manos Manousakis, Chairman and CEO of the Independent Power Transmission Operator (IPTO), received a special award by the Institute of Energy for Southeast Europe (IENE) for his contribution to the design, construction, and implementation of the country's electrical interconnections. Mr. Manousakis was among the four recipients of the "Prometheus" award, established by IENE and presented to individuals who have distinguished themselves in their professional careers for their contributions to the energy sector.

The award was presented by IENE Chairman Mr. Kostis Stambolis and former Chairman Mr. Giannis Chatzivasilis during the Institute's event for the cutting of the New Year's cake and the celebration of its 20th anniversary.

In his address, Mr. Manousakis spoke about the challenges of the energy transition and highlighted IPTO's role in advancing the country's energy policy goals.

Presenting the milestones of 2023, he emphasized the operation of the second electrical interconnection between Greece and Bulgaria and IPTO's role as the project promoter of the Greece-Crete-Israel electrical Interconnection (Great Sea Interconnector). He also mentioned the commencement of works for the cable section of the Crete-Cyprus interconnection.

Mr. Manousakis outlined the goals for the new year in the field of interconnections, including the completion of the construction and the start of the trial operation of the Crete-Attica interconnection, the completion of the shareholding structure of the Great Sea Interconnector, and the signing of the contract for the Converter Stations.

He also addressed other major interconnection projects in progress, such as the interconnection of the Western Cyclades, the interconnections of the Dodecanese and Northeastern Aegean islands, as well as the second interconnection between Greece and Italy and Albania, respectively.

Concluding his speech, Mr. Manousakis emphasized the need for a pan-European network of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) electrical interconnections to "integrate large amounts of renewable energy into our energy systems and maximize the rich wind potential of Europe's sea basins."