Authorities on alert to counter snowstorm impact on country’s grid

The government and market operators are on high alert to counter, as effectively as possible, the impact on the grid of heavy snowfall around the country over the next few days.

Severe snowstorms last winter had led to network damages and outages over a number of days in a various parts of Greece, including the wider Athens area.

The government, distribution network operator DEDDIE/HEDNO, power grid operator IPTO and gas grid operator DESFA are all on stand-by as the weather system, dubbed Elpida, moves in, bringing heavy snowfall.

The energy sector is well prepared to ensure energy sufficiency during the snowstorm’s anticipated rise in energy demand, authorities have noted.

Pipeline natural gas and LNG reserves at DESFA’s Revythoussa islet terminal just off Athens are sufficient to cover heightened demand during the adverse weather, officials have noted.

Total energy demand for today is forecast to reach 171,775 MWh, of which 58,825 MWh is expected to be provided by renewables, 94,606 MWh by natural gas-fueled power stations and 13,290 MWh by hydropower units.

Four lignite-fired power stations, Agios Dimitrios II, III IV and Meliti, are currently operating, while independent natural gas-fueled power stations operated by Heron, ENTHES, Thisvi, Protergia and Corinth Power are also generating for the grid.

DEDDIE/HEDNO, the distribution network operator, has announced a new hotline (800 400 4000) to which consumers can report any network damages.