The critical importance of developing infrastructure that will produce added value in the present and in the future was the key focus of the General Manager of EDA THESS, Mr. Leonidas Bakouras, during his speech at the conference of voria.gr on "Energy crisis & Northern Greece: Challenges, opportunities and prospects". The keynote speakers of the event were, among others, the Minister of Environment and Energy, Mr. Konstantinos Skrekas and the Secretary General for Energy and Mineral Resources, Ms. Alexandra Sdoukou.
During his speech, the General Manager referred to the challenges that the energy sector has been facing since last year, which necessitate the adoption of measures and the implementation of actions for the safeguarding of the energy system and the development of infrastructure in the country.
Development of Sustainable Infrastructure - Creating Added Value
In this complex business environment, EDA THESS has taken all measures to ensure its business continuity and manages to turn challenges into opportunities over time. The main priority is to continue the development of infrastructure throughout the License areas in order to facilitate the future injection of renewable gases into the distribution networks.
In this context, EDA THESS successfully finalizes the implementation of the Development Program for 2022 with absolute adherence to the timetables for the supply of new areas and includes sustainable investments and the digitalization of infrastructure in its planning for the next 5 years.
Despite the current circumstances, the added value that the Company delivers from its activity in the License areas is recognized by all stakeholders and especially by consumers, who maintain their trust in the Operator. A fact demonstrated by the 15,000 new consumers who switched to natural gas in 2022 in the Licence Areas of EDA THESS.
Supporting Consumers
Mr. Bakouras commented that although gas prices are at extremely high levels compared to last year, it seems that they are now starting to decline. It is estimated that they will remain more competitive (especially for domestic use) compared to other forms of energy, thanks to the measures taken by the State to support consumers and to reduce energy costs throughout the energy crisis.
At the same time, he stressed that the commercial and industrial sectors have suffered serious consequences to date, which are undermining their competitiveness. In this context, a support mechanism should be created to maintain their viability during the crisis.
Digitalization and renewable gases
Taking all parameters into account, the EDA THESS continues to invest in sustainable networks, which will receive and distribute gradually increasing quantities of renewable gases (such as biomethane and green hydrogen). Infrastructure that will contribute to achieving the energy and climate targets set for 2030 and 2050 at national and European level. As the General Manager stressed, "the Commission has acknowledged the role of existing gas infrastructure (in the revised Gas Decarbonization Package which now includes the renewable gas market) provided that this infrastructure supports a flexible, smart and digitalized distribution system".
The Company's objective today is to leverage its know-how and the expertise of its new shareholder Italgas, to strengthen and finalize the digitization of the networks, in order to enable the channeling of renewable gases into the energy consumption chain.
The production and distribution of biomethane will play an important role in the decarbonization of distribution networks, while strengthening the country's circular economy. An easily exploitable form of renewable energy, thanks to its full compatibility with existing distribution networks. It is an ecological biofuel with a carbon footprint 10 times lower than that of natural gas and comparable to other forms of renewable energy, taking into account its life cycle emissions.
Furthermore, the development of biomethane will help to reduce dependence on overall demand, which has been recognized at EU level with a target of 35 bcm of biomethane having been set under the REpowerEU action plan.
A necessary step for the development of the biomethane market is to create an enabling legislative framework for investments to facilitate the development of innovative technologies for the exploitation of renewable gases. The General Manager concluded by underlining that, "the Company is ready to promote cooperation with all stakeholders in the License areas - such as existing biogas producers for the development of biomethane upgrading projects and the technical world - in order to jointly raise awareness of biomethane throughout the gas value chain".
Priority on Energy Efficiency
In the last part of his speech, the General Manager referred to the importance of implementing actions to improve energy efficiency in the end-use sectors, as part of the solution to the current crisis and climate change.
Buildings account for a significant share of energy consumption.. At European level, they account for 40% of the energy used and in the winter period they account for more than 70% of peak energy demand due to heating needs.
According to Mr. Bakouras, energy efficiency should be treated today "as an energy source per se", leading both the public - municipal and private sectors to reduce energy consumption. Investments on the energy-demand side should be supported by solutions based on cost-benefit analyses, the ultimate goal being to enhance security of supply, reduce energy prices and meet climate objectives.
Concluding his speech, the General Manager stated that EDA THESS, in line with the sustainability strategy of the Shareholder, includes in its business planning investments to increase energy efficiency and reduce the consumption of both its buildings and distribution infrastructure. These are actions that will contribute to the protection of the environment and the creation of added value for stakeholders.
