The energy ministry has approved environmental terms for gas grid operator DESFA’s natural gas pipeline project covering northern Greece’s west Macedonia region, a decision that paves the way for work to commence in autumn.

The project, budgeted at 110 million euros, promises to extend the national gas grid’s coverage, contribute to the country’s decarbonization plan and support the transition of the west Macedonian region, until now a lignite-dependent local economy.

The pipeline is planned to run from a location two kilometers east of Trikala to a point north of the provincial town Ptolemaida in the Kozani region, a 93.56-km distance.

The project, already fully certified to transport hydrogen, will offer a capacity of 388,000 Nm3/h.

The pipeline’s completion is scheduled for the first half of 2023.