The country’s energy utilities have prepared an emergency plan – comprised of alternatives – designed to ensure ongoing operations at strategically important energy facilities amid the coronavirus outbreak, now also a growing concern in Greece.

The emergency plan, prepared by leading officials at power utility PPC, power grid operator IPTO, distribution network operator DEDDIE/HEDNO, gas grid operator DESFA and gas utility DEPA, in agreement with the energy ministry, is designed to offer maximum coronavirus protection to personnel, especially staff employed at energy production and distribution management posts.

The plan includes three alert levels, mild, medium and pandemic conditions.

Preventive disinfection operations are being carried out at utility facilities. Emphasis is being placed on IPTO’s national and regional energy control centers, DESFA’s LNG storage station on the islet Revythoussa, off Athens, as well as PPC’s power stations.

The plan also includes shift replacements and personnel transfers in the event of coronavirus spreads within utility ranks, as well as secluded on-site accommodation for personnel at energy infrastructure locations and power stations.

Online preparations are also being made to enable headquarter-based personnel to work from home should the outbreak worsen.

Overall, preventive measures promoted by national health authorities are being applied.

Energy utility officials who took part in a related energy ministry meeting have assured government authorities that the country’s electricity and natural gas supply will remain uninterrupted.