DEDA, authorities join forces for network in north, central Greece

Regional authorities representing various parts of northern Greece have established joint committees and are working closely with gas distributor DEDA to secure EU cohesion policy funds through the Multiannual Financial Framework, covering 2014 to 2020, for the development of natural gas networks in the country’s north.

The decision by regional authorities to join forces for this effort is expected to accelerate procedures as all technical and contractual matters concerning the wider network’s development are being handled collectively.

Officials at DEDA, a wholly-owned subsidiary of DEPA, the public gas corporation, believe contractors for the natural gas network’s development could be appointed within the first quarter of 2019.

The network’s development is planned to cover the regions of east Macedonia-Thrace, central Macedonia, as well as mainland prefectures further south, in central Greece, namely Fthiotida, Boetia and Evritania, and the island Evia, slightly northeast of Athens.

The gas distribution network planned to cover the east Macedonia-Thrace prefectures of Evros, Rodopi, Xanthi, Kavala and Drama, is budgeted at an estimated 64.2 million euros, 50 percent of which may be financed through the public investment program (PIP).

The gas distribution network planned to cover the central Macedonia prefectures of Imathia, Kilkis, Pella, Pieria, Serres and Halkdiki, is budgeted at an estimated 44.1 million euros, 48.5 percent of which may be covered by the public investment program.

The distribution network to cover the regions further south is budgeted at an estimated 647.4 million euros, 45 percent of which may be financed through the public investment program.