Manousakis Takes Greece to the Top of Global Energy Leadership as ADMIE Secures Key GO15 Role

ADMIE Chairman and CEO Manos Manousakis has been elected Vice President of GO15 for 2027 and is set to assume its presidency in 2028. The appointment marks a major international recognition of Greece’s expertise in electricity transmission, as the country’s grid operator advances a €9 billion investment programme aimed at strengthening energy security and expanding domestic and cross-border interconnections.

Greece is strengthening its presence at the highest levels of international energy governance following the election of Manos Manousakis, Chairman and CEO of the Independent Power Transmission Operator (ADMIE/IPTO), as Vice President of GO15, the international association bringing together some of the world’s largest electricity system operators.

The appointment represents a significant milestone for both Manousakis and Greece’s electricity transmission sector, reflecting the growing international relevance of the country’s experience in renewable energy integration, submarine interconnections and advanced transmission technologies.

Under the association’s three-year leadership rotation, Manousakis will serve as Vice President in 2027, assume the Presidency in 2028 and return to the Vice Presidency in 2029.

His election took place during GO15’s annual general assembly in Washington, held under the presidency of the American grid operator PJM.

The development comes approximately one year after ADMIE joined the international association, highlighting the speed with which the Greek operator has gained a prominent position within its global network.

A major international distinction for Greece

Manousakis described his election as a particular honour for both himself and Greece, stressing the importance of cooperation at a time when electricity systems worldwide face increasingly complex challenges.

Addressing the association’s governing committee, he emphasized that “the challenges are shared and do not stop at national borders.”

His remarks reflected a central reality of the global energy transition: electricity systems are becoming increasingly interconnected, while the need for coordination between transmission operators is growing.

From renewable energy integration and grid stability to cybersecurity and climate resilience, the challenges facing national electricity networks can no longer be addressed through isolated strategies.

Against this backdrop, Manousakis’s election gives ADMIE a stronger voice in international discussions about the future of electricity transmission.

For Greece, the appointment is more than a prestigious institutional distinction. It is an opportunity to contribute directly to global cooperation on the development of secure, resilient and increasingly interconnected power systems.

Greece as a “natural laboratory of the energy transition”

During his address, Manousakis presented Greece as a “natural laboratory of the energy transition,” drawing attention to the country’s distinctive geographical and technological characteristics.

Greece’s extensive island network, strategic position in Southeastern Europe and growing penetration of renewable energy sources create a demanding environment for electricity transmission.

These characteristics have required ADMIE to develop specialized expertise in connecting geographically dispersed electricity systems and managing the integration of cleaner energy sources.

The country’s experience is particularly relevant as transmission operators worldwide seek solutions to accommodate increasing renewable generation without compromising grid reliability.

Greece’s energy transition therefore provides practical lessons that can be shared with international partners.

Under Manousakis’s leadership, ADMIE has placed particular emphasis on the development of major infrastructure projects designed to modernize the national transmission system and improve the country’s electricity connectivity.

Submarine interconnections: Greek expertise with international relevance

A central element of ADMIE’s growing international profile is its experience in developing complex submarine electricity interconnections.

For an island country such as Greece, connecting remote regions to the mainland transmission system is a strategic priority.

Such projects can improve electricity supply security, reduce dependence on isolated local generation and facilitate greater integration of renewable energy.

Manousakis highlighted the technical knowledge ADMIE has accumulated through the development of island interconnections and projects involving high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission technology.

HVDC systems are particularly important for transferring large volumes of electricity over long distances, including through submarine cables.

The technology is increasingly relevant to European energy integration, offshore renewable energy development and international electricity interconnection projects.

ADMIE’s experience in these fields strengthens its ability to contribute technical knowledge to the GO15 network.

At the same time, membership provides opportunities to learn from other major operators managing some of the world’s largest and most complex electricity systems.

This two-way exchange of expertise is one of the most valuable aspects of ADMIE’s participation in GO15, positioning Greece not merely as a recipient of international knowledge but also as a contributor to global energy solutions.

A €9 billion investment programme to transform Greece’s electricity infrastructure

The international appointment comes as ADMIE advances an ambitious investment programme worth €9 billion for the 2027–2036 period.

Manousakis outlined the programme during the GO15 meeting, emphasizing its importance for the long-term development of Greece’s electricity transmission system.

The investment strategy includes new domestic and international interconnections intended to strengthen the country’s grid infrastructure and support the changing needs of the energy market.

As renewable electricity generation expands, transmission networks must become more capable of handling variable power flows, accommodating new generation capacity and ensuring system stability.

At the same time, growing electricity demand associated with industrial electrification, digital infrastructure and emerging technologies is increasing the importance of modern, resilient grids.

For Greece, the planned investments are expected to support several strategic objectives: improving energy security, expanding electricity interconnections and creating the infrastructure required for further renewable energy development.

The programme also reflects the growing importance of electricity transmission in the country’s broader economic and energy strategy.

Its successful implementation will depend on financing, technical execution, regulatory procedures and the timely delivery of major infrastructure projects.

The €1 billion capital increase and strong investor confidence

Another significant element of Manousakis’s presentation concerned ADMIE’s financing strategy.

The company’s recent €1 billion share capital increase was highlighted as an important step toward supporting the planned investment programme.

According to the figures presented, demand for the €249 million worth of shares offered to investors beyond the two strategic shareholders exceeded €3 billion.

This represents demand of more than twelve times the value of that portion of the offering.

The figures point to substantial investor interest in ADMIE and the long-term prospects of electricity transmission infrastructure.

For a company preparing to implement a multibillion-euro investment programme, access to capital is a crucial factor.

The reported investor demand also illustrates the strategic importance increasingly attached to electricity grids, which are essential for integrating renewable energy, strengthening energy security and supporting economic electrification.

The combination of international institutional recognition and significant investor interest marks an important moment for ADMIE as it prepares for a new phase of infrastructure development.

Why GO15 matters for the global electricity industry

GO15 brings together major electricity system operators responsible for serving more than half of global electricity demand.

Its activities focus on several of the most pressing challenges facing the sector, including grid security, resilience, renewable energy integration and international cooperation.

The association provides a platform for sharing operational experience, developing best practices and discussing emerging risks.

These issues have become increasingly important as electricity systems undergo structural transformation.

The rapid expansion of solar and wind power requires new approaches to system balancing and grid management.

Climate change is exposing electricity infrastructure to more frequent and severe weather-related risks.

Meanwhile, the digitalization of power networks creates opportunities for greater efficiency but also increases exposure to cyber threats.

The participation of ADMIE’s chief executive in the association’s leadership offers the Greek operator an opportunity to contribute to discussions on these challenges while benefiting from the expertise of its international counterparts.

Cybersecurity and grid resilience move to the forefront

Among the issues emphasized by Manousakis were cybersecurity and the resilience of electricity networks.

As modern grids become increasingly digital, their security depends not only on physical infrastructure but also on the protection of critical information and control systems.

Cyber threats can pose serious risks to electricity system operations, making cooperation between transmission operators essential.

Climate resilience is another major concern.

Extreme weather events, changing environmental conditions and increasing pressure on electricity infrastructure require operators to adopt more sophisticated risk management strategies.

The integration of renewable energy also creates new technical requirements, particularly regarding the stability and flexibility of transmission systems.

Through GO15, ADMIE will be able to participate more actively in the exchange of practices addressing these challenges.

The international cooperation promoted by the association could therefore support the Greek operator’s efforts to strengthen the reliability and adaptability of the national electricity system.

Greece’s strategic position in Southeastern Europe

Manousakis’s election also comes at a time when electricity interconnections are becoming increasingly important to Europe’s energy strategy.

Greece’s geographical position offers opportunities to strengthen links between Southeastern Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean and the wider European electricity market.

The development of cross-border infrastructure can improve the movement of electricity between interconnected markets, support renewable energy integration and contribute to greater diversification of supply.

ADMIE’s investment programme reflects these strategic priorities, combining domestic grid development with international interconnection projects.

However, the economic and geopolitical benefits of such projects depend on their successful completion and effective integration into the wider electricity system.

Greece’s growing expertise in submarine transmission technologies provides a valuable foundation for pursuing these objectives.

The country’s participation in GO15’s leadership may also facilitate technical cooperation with operators facing comparable infrastructure challenges.

Manousakis strengthens ADMIE’s international standing

The election of Manos Manousakis to the Vice Presidency of GO15 for 2027, followed by his scheduled Presidency in 2028, represents a notable achievement for the Greek electricity transmission sector.

It places the head of ADMIE within the leadership of an organization whose members collectively serve a substantial share of global electricity demand.

The appointment also comes during a period of major transformation for ADMIE, with extensive investment plans, growing technological requirements and increasing international cooperation.

Under Manousakis’s leadership, the Greek operator has developed experience in demanding infrastructure projects, particularly submarine electricity interconnections and HVDC technology.

These capabilities are increasingly relevant to the global energy transition.

The significance of the appointment lies in the recognition that Greece can contribute meaningful technical expertise to international electricity system management.

For Manousakis, the election is a major professional and institutional distinction.

For ADMIE, it represents an opportunity to strengthen partnerships, exchange expertise and participate more actively in shaping international approaches to grid development.

And for Greece, it reinforces the country’s ambition to play a more influential role in the electricity infrastructure and energy integration of Southeastern Europe.

From national infrastructure to global energy leadership

The coming years will be decisive for ADMIE.

Its €9 billion investment programme, the development of new electricity interconnections and the growing requirements of renewable energy integration will test the operator’s ability to deliver complex infrastructure projects.

At the same time, the appointment of its chief executive to GO15’s leadership creates an opportunity to connect Greece’s national experience with the broader international energy agenda.

The challenge will be to translate institutional recognition into practical cooperation, stronger infrastructure and measurable benefits for the electricity system.

Manousakis’s rise to the leadership of GO15 is a clear milestone for ADMIE’s international profile — and a significant opportunity for Greece to strengthen its voice in the global energy transition.

Source: pagenews.gr