Gas distributor DEDA, a wholly-owned subsidiary of DEPA, the public gas corporation, plans to proceed with tenders for the development of natural gas networks in 18 municipalities covering northern and central Greece by October 10, once the terms of all the planned tenders have been endorsed by regional authorities.

The DEDA tenders are planned to cover all development aspects of the projects, including procurement, project management and construction. A total of 11 or 12 tenders are being planned.

Projects envisioned include the construction of a low and medium-pressure gas distribution network in the Eastern Macedonia-Thrace region, budgeted at 64.2 million euros, half of which may be funded by the Public Investments Program (PIP). The low-pressure network’s section is planned to cover roughly 485 km in length and the medium-pressure network about 9 km. The provincial cities Alexandroupoli, Orestiada, Komotini, Xanthi, Drama and Kavala will be served.

The DEDA project also includes a plan for the construction of a low and medium-pressure gas distribution network in the Central Macedonia region, budgeted at 44.1 million euro. PIP funding here could reach 48.5 percent. Six municipalities are planned to be covered, these being Veria, Alexandria, Katerini, Serres, Giannitsa and Kilkis. The low-pressure network is planned to run 327 km and the medium-pressure network 9 km.

The project’s third section, covering central Greece’s cities of Lamia, Halkida, Thebes, Livadia, Amfissa and Karpenisi, has a budget estimate of 47.4 million euros, 45 percent of which may be funded by the Public Investments Program (PIP).

A low and high-pressure network running approximately 210 km already exists and covers parts of the region to serve commercial and industrial consumers. A low-pressure network of approximately 320 km and a medium-pressure 7 km network will need to be constructed.

The completion time for the project’s three sections is estimated at 5 years.