ERGOSE: Gas for railway projects 4.5 billion euros

Of Costa Ketsietzis

The management of ERGOSE aims to accelerate the projects that are in the process of implementation and the contracts for the six major new generation projects, totaling 4 billion euros that will connect the ports with the railway network, even setting ambitious schedules.

As noted by the President and CEO of ERGOSE, Christos Vinis, when informing journalists about the events of 2021, the goal is to proceed with rapid procedures the six major projects promoted by the Competitive Dialogue process during the year and in the first quarter of 2023 to sign the contracts.

In order to do this, within the next two months, the committees of the six tenders, which add up to the largest package of projects of the Greek railway, must have completed the First Minutes.

Then the most demanding stage of the process will proceed, which includes the consultation with ERGOSE and all interested parties to find the best solution for each project.

It is recalled that the six projects are the construction of the new railway line Thessaloniki – Toxotes (budget 1.68 billion euros), the upgrade of the railway line in Alexandroupoli-Ormenio (1.07 billion euros), the extension of the suburban line for the interconnection of Rafina (383 million euros) and Lavrio (391 million euros), the completion of the railway line Rio-Neos Limenas Patras (477 million euros) and the railway connection of the 6th pier OLTH (53.5 million). euro).

In this process, ERGOSE will have the help of six external consultants – project managers who will undertake to find the best solution, control the implementation studies and supervision.

The modernization of Athens – Thessaloniki

The difficulty of the bet placed by the management of ERGOSE for these new projects is also emphasized by the history of the railway projects in the country, which is characterized by many years of delays and with “bells” from the EU.

A typical example is the long-suffering contract 717 for the reorganization and upgrade of the Signaling and Telecontrol system in parts of the Athens-Thessaloniki-Promachonas axis, an adventure that has been going on for a decade. It is the biggest problem that the current management of ERGOSE was called to solve.

After its reactivation in 2020, the following sections have already been handed over to OSE for use: Plati – Thessaloniki, SKA – Oinoi and Paleofarsalos Railway Station, Thessaloniki – Promachonas.

The completion of this contract by the end of the year will pave the way for the journey from Athens to Thessaloniki by train in 3 hours and 15 minutes and will mark the end of active contracts on the main railway axis of the country. .

The other projects

The various tenders, totaling 515.3 million euros, started in the previous two years by ERGOSE, are in various phases, which mainly concern the upgrade of the existing network with the installation of electric, signaling and telecommunication systems.

In particular, the 2nd Minute is already being prepared by the Tender Committee for the project of subsidizing and electrification in Rododafni – Rio. At the same stage, are still the second phase of the Athens Railway Station and the electric drive for the section Paleofarsalos – Kalampaka.

Also, the electrification contract of Kiato – Rododafni has been sent to the Court of Auditors for approval, while for two projects an invitation for the signing of the contract has been sent.

This is the installation of an electric drive and signaling system on the line Larissa – Volos and the installation of signaling in Thessaloniki – Eidomeni.

As Mr. Vinis noted due to the large geographical spread of the projects and the need to assist the company in the implementation and supervision of projects that are in progress and exceed in value of 800 million euros, ERGOSE is hiring a Construction Manager through an open competition.

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