Over recent years, the Mediterranean region has been reshaping its energy landscape, driven by the dual goals of cutting dependence on fossil fuels and boosting energy security. The EU’s push to diversify sources post‑Russian gas disruptions has accelerated efforts across Southern Europe, North Africa, and the Eastern Mediterranean to tap into abundant solar and offshore wind potential.

Several countries are ramping up offshore wind and solar installations, taking advantage of strong coastal winds and high solar irradiation. Studies show regions like the Aegean and Alboran Seas offer excellent synergy between wind and solar generation, aiding smoother renewable integration.

An essential part of the transformation is undersea interconnectors, linking countries and enabling the transfer of renewable energy across borders:

• Greece–Crete via a new cable to balance island supply and support renewables.
• Italy–Greece (GRITA 2) and Greece–Cyprus–Israel (Great Sea Interconnector) aim to enhance grid resilience and regional energy trading.
• Planned links like Italy–Tunisia (ELMED) and Italy–Albania–UAE further integrate North African renewables.
• Proposed projects like EuroAfrica (Egypt–Cyprus–Greece) promise multi-gigawatt flows and long-term energy bridging.

These projects facilitate balancing variable renewables, improve electricity security, and can export North Africa’s solar and wind energy into Europe.

To ensure long-term success, the article argues that strategic planning, healthy public investment, and streamlined permitting are key. They’re crucial for turning the current renewable boom into a durable and economically viable energy transformation.

Bottom line: The Mediterranean is becoming a renewable powerhouse, uniting solar and wind development with an expanding web of undersea cables to create an integrated, resilient, and sustainable regional energy system.

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Source: https://www.power-technology.com/news/mediterranean-region-energy-transformation/