epirus

DESFA considering 2 options for gas transportation to Epirus

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Gas grid operator DESFA is examining two alternative solutions for the transportation of natural gas to Greece’s northwestern region of Epirus, one of the company’s most important projects of its ten-year development plan covering 2022 to 2031, still not finalized.

One option being considered by DESFA is an extension of a gas pipeline in west Macedonia, northern Greece, from Ptolemaida all the way to Ioannina, the Epirus prefecture’s capital.

The other solution being considered entails the development of an LNG terminal at Igoumenitsa port, from where a 50-km gas pipeline would be constructed into the Epirus region.

The options will undergo public consultation for comments and observations by market players before RAE, in conjunction with DESFA, decides which of the two will be implemented.

DESFA aims to finalize its ten-year development plan covering 2022 to 2031 within the summer before delivering it to RAE in September.

Peloponnese, Epirus capacity boosts for RES installations

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Two Greek regions, the Peloponnese and Epirus’ Ioannina and Arachthos areas in the northwest, are soon expected to be given power production capacity increases, enabling the installation of small-scale RES units.

The capacities of both regions, currently saturated, for different reasons, will be mildly increased.

As part of the lead-up to this capacity boost, DEDDIE/HEDNO, the Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator, is set to finalize a related study to be submitted to RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy. Some power stations have been stretched to their limits.

Certain criteria could be reevaluated. Regardless of the result, the aforementioned areas will be given capacity boosts permitting the use of technologies such as roof-mounted solar panels for net metering, biomass-biogas installations as well as energy community project development.

According to current regulations, RES installations in the Peloponnese are restricted to photovoltaic systems with capacites of no more than 20 KW for net metering. This limit is expected to soon be increased, according to sources, which will offer professionals greater capacity. Current limits imposed on biomass-biogas projects and energy community projects are also expected to be mildly boosted.

RAE will make final decisions based on an IPTO (power grid operator) study.

Two sub-stations in the Ioannina and Arachthos areas are currently saturated, as is also the case with a number of others around the country. However, interest for new RES installations has grown, which prompted DEDDIE/HEDNO to consider upgrading station transformers.

Operator sources informed that similar upgrade projects could also be carried out at other saturated substations in the future if investor interest for installations ensures the sustainability of related projects.

 

Authorities inform locals on Epirus hydrocarbon exploration

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Hydrocarbon authorities, academics specializing in this domain, as well as energy ministry officials participated in two open events staged in the towns of Voutsara and Ano Pedina, northwestern Greece, earlier this week to discuss the wider Epirus region’s hydrocarbon prospects.

Municipal authorities representing both towns were also involved in the events, both well attended.

Many issues and queries were raised and discussed, resulting in a number of conclusions.

It was agreed that a further five years would be needed before current exploration work was completed.

Scientists participating in the event clarified that geophysical work cannot, under any circumstances, be linked to seismic activity. Authorities also informed that all exploration work has been designed to be carried out with protection of the natural environment in mind.

Energy ministry officials ruled out any chance of fracking procedures being  applied to extract hydrocarbon deposits in the region.

Officials also assured that private property ownership would not be impacted in any way.