Large-scale investments in energy networks (electricity, natural gas, later hydrogen) predict the development programs of transmission and distribution system operators for the next decade.

The managers’ plans have been put into consultation in order to come into force after they get the green light from the Energy Regulatory Authority, which has the final say on whether to approve or reject proposed investments, based on a cost/benefit assessment.

“THE RAEas the President of the Authority Prof. Ath. Dagoumas points out in APE, has as its basic legal competence the implementation of regulatory measures, so as to ensure on the one hand the realization of the necessary investments in the Networks and consequently the security of the energy supply and the public in general interest, on the one hand the protection of the interests of final consumers, in particular in relation to the formation of the costs recovered through the tariffs and the transparency of the tariffs, so that they are not affected by the levels of the relevant charges imposed on them”.

The suggestions of the Administrators concern investments of a total amount of 9 billion euros with which, among others:

-the green transition is accelerated as the necessary electrical space is created for the entry of renewable energy sources and storage units
-security of supply is improved to the extent that interconnections are upgraded, while at the same time the energy system is shielded from individual component failures
– the geopolitical position of the country as a channel for the energy supply of the countries of the wider region is upgraded
-costs for the consumer are reduced in relation especially to power thefts which are sought to be addressed by the installation of smart meters as well as by reducing the cost of electrification of the islands which are interconnected with the mainland grid
-gain access to natural gas (and later to hydrogen) new areas of the territory.

In particular, the investment programs of transmission and network operators include, among others:

–ADMIE: Projects worth 4.7 billion Euros are planned for the period 2024-2033. The strengthening of electrical interconnections with Italy and Albania stand out, as well as projects to develop electricity transmission infrastructure mainly in western and northern Greece which, among other things, upgrade the export potential of the Greek system. Also, the completion of island interconnections in the Aegean.

–DEDDEE: Investments amounting to 2.2 billion euros are foreseen for strengthening the network, reducing losses, increasing capacity, new connections, and smart meters which are by far the largest investment of the Operator (with a total budget of 1.16 billion euros of which the 525 million is expected to be spent until 2026. The project is expected to contribute to the reduction of electricity theft while allowing accurate pricing of consumers based on actual consumption (without “against”) as well as the implementation of polygonal tariffs, i.e. rewarding those who transport consumption in cheaper tariff zones.

–DESFA: The development program for the period 2023-2032 includes projects with a total budget of 1.27 billion Euros that serve the objectives of providing uninterrupted capacity to all System Users and of increasing natural gas exports from Greece to the wider region on the one hand, in the direction – as the Administrator points out – of consolidating our country into a natural gas supply gateway for Southeast and Central Europe. During this period, projects will be implemented, among others, such as the Pipeline to North Macedonia, the Pipeline to Western Macedonia, the construction of which has started, the Pipeline to Patras, as well as the compression stations in Komotini, Nea Mesimvria and Vine. Also, the new jetty for small Liquefied Natural Gas vessels at the Revythoussa station, as well as a series of small-scale LNG facilities to supply the Aspros, Naoussa and Kalamata areas.

–Natural gas networks: distribution companies plan investments of 788 million Euros for the period 2023-2027. The projects in the Attica region reach 160 million, 136 million in Thessaloniki, 114 million in Thessaly and 378 million is the budget for the construction of networks in the rest of Greece (Regions of Eastern Macedonia – Thrace, Western Macedonia, Central Greece, Peloponnese, Central Macedonia, Epirus and Western Greece) from DEDA. Also under consideration is the construction of distribution networks on the islands of Lesvos, Chios, Samos, Rhodes as well as in the 4 prefectures of Crete, to which the gas – according to these proposals – will be transported by LNG carriers.