New energy era for the Region of Central Greece

The signal for the start of the large expansion projects of the natural gas distribution network in six cities of the Region of Central Greece, was given by the CEO of DEDA Mario Tsaka and the Chairman of the Board. of the company Vassilis Kotroni, in a brilliant event co-organized by DEDA and the Region of Central Greece yesterday, at the Municipal Theater of Lamia.

The event was honored by the presence of the Regional Governor of Central Greece Fanis Spanos, the Mayor of Athens Costas Bakogiannis, the Mayor of Lamia Thymios Karaiskos, the Mayor of Thebes Georgios Anastasiou, the Mayor of Legaleos Ioannis economic, ecclesiastical and military life of the place.

“It is finally time for Central Greece to gain access to natural gas, this economical and environmentally friendly form of energy that will lead us to the new energy era of RES”, stressed the CEO of DEDA during the greeting , adding that with strong energy infrastructure Fthiotida and wider Central Greece can become the locomotive of Greece.

“The expansion projects of the natural gas distribution network bring a revolution of development and progress in the region, keeping the young people in their place so that they can work and create without restrictions. The investments that will be made for the supply of the Region of Central Greece with natural gas are “with a total budget of 88.1 million euros by 2036, bringing multiplier benefits for households, businesses, the environment, the local economy and employment”, noted Mr. Tsakas and expressed his joy that the project starts from Fthiotida, his place of origin.

The CEO of DEDA expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis for his decisive support in the Management of the company, as well as to the Minister of Environment and Energy, Costas Skrekas, who is assisting in the work of DEDA. He also warmly referred to the Regional Governor of Central Greece Fanis Spanos for his valuable contribution to the implementation of the project, while thanking for the excellent cooperation the mayors of Lamia Thymios Karaiskos, Thebes Georgios Anastasiou, Chalkonos Nelos Panasis Elenis and Levadeon Ioannis Tagalegas.

During his greeting, Mr. Tsakas presented the main points of the DEDA Development Program for the period 2021-2025, pointing out that this is the largest project for the expansion of natural gas distribution networks currently running in Europe. “DEDA brings natural gas to 36 cities in the country, with 2,000 new kilometers of network and more than 170,000 new consumer connections. These are projects worth 300 million euros by 2025, which in full development mobilize total direct and indirect investment 1 “They create 6,000 new jobs, bringing a new growth breath to the country,” he said.

Mr. Tsakas made a special reference to the next day of natural gas distribution infrastructure, emphasizing that DEDA is the first Natural Gas Distribution Manager in Greece to proceed with the greening of its networks, so that they can distribute new gaseous fuels, with minimum to zero carbon footprint, such as biomethane and hydrogen.

For his part, the Governor of Central Greece Fanis Spanos said, among other things: “We invited you to share a day of joy, for a great victory for the Region of Central Greece. Natural gas was a very big goal, from the first moment of the previous When Costas Bakoyannis personally embraced the effort, he sat at the same table with DEDA, the Ministry of Environment and of course our Managing Authority and concluded an important agreement, a project of 47.35 million euros, of which 21 , 2 million would come from the NSRF of the Region of Central Greece.

In the previous period, after the approval of our Managing Authority, DEDA signed the contract for the construction of the network at the headquarters of our Region, in Lamia. Today, our Managing Authority signs the approval of the contract for the project Chalkida – Thebes, so that in the coming days with the construction contract to start this project. Both projects, Livadia and Amfissa – Karpenisi, have already been auctioned and are heading for contracting.

We have worked hard for gas all these 7 years. With many difficult moments and obstacles, especially in the beginning. And we still have work ahead of us, until that day, when every home and every professional will be able to “breathe” in his family and professional budget. In the final stretch, we want you all with us, as we are from the beginning. “We are moving forward vigorously for a more ‘Green’, more efficient, more competitive Region. Mainly, for a Region closer to every citizen!”.

Finally, the President of DEDA, Civil Engineer NTUA Vassilis Kotronis underlined that this is the largest energy project that has been implemented in the cities of Lamia, Chalkida, Thebes, Livadia, Amfissa and Karpenisi since the time of their electrification, with immediate benefit to citizens.

“The start of the major development projects of DEDA was made from remote Thrace in the summer, in the presence of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. With the support of the government, we continue dynamically, bringing natural gas to Central Greece. Investments in natural distribution networks , amounting to 88.1 million euros by 2036 and more than 42,500 consumer connections, will change the energy footprint of Central Greece, which through its administrations, today and the past, embraced the vision of our company, financing the projects until 2023 with the amount of 18.1 million euros “, underlined Mr. Kotronis.

The “identity” of the project

The gas extends to six cities of the Region – Lamia, Chalkida, Thebes, Livadia, Amfissa and Karpenisi – with branches of a total of 540 km of network.

The expansion works of the network will be completed by the end of 2023, while the implementation of the connections of the interested consumers (domestic, commercial, industrial) will begin immediately, covering a large percentage of the energy needs of the residents already this winter.

Consumer connections will continue normally after the completion of the construction of the network, exceeding 42,500 by 2036.

The investments that will be made for the supply of the Region of Central Greece with natural gas have a total budget of 88.1 million euros until 2036. The project until 2023 is co-financed by the NSRF 2014-2020, through the Operational Program of the Region of Central Greece, in the amount of EUR 18.1 million.