(ANSAmed) – ATHENS, DECEMBER 17 - The European Commission has found that public support to seven projects aimed at improving and expanding the Greek electricity network complies with EU state aid rules and authorised a 36 million euro aid for investments in the country’s infrastructures. Those projects – as GreekReporter website notes - will contribute to ensuring the security of energy supply by improving the reliability of the national transmission system and thus enhance the functioning of the energy market. The overall investment cost of the projects amount to 112 million euro. The 36 million euro of aid, financed by the Greek state and by EU structural funds, will notably fund the expansion of a 400 kV transmission line into East Macedonia and Thrace and the construction of an extra high voltage substation in the region. This will support an envisaged additional interconnection with Bulgaria and contribute to the interconnection of the Greek national electric energy transmission system to that of Turkey, thereby strengthening the interconnection of the EU with Asia via Greece. In addition, the aid will fund the construction of an extra high voltage substation in the Peloponnese region, allowing for the integration of renewable power plants. The new substation constitutes one of the possible connection points for a future expansion of the system to the currently non-interconnected island of Crete. The projects will also contribute to financing the installation of underground cables to cover needs in densely populated areas in Athens and Thessaloniki and tourist areas like Iraklion. (ANSAmed).