Special plan of EDA THESS which guarantees its uninterrupted operation for the provided services regarding the secure gas distribution for the benefit of employees and consumers

EDA THESS operates in the context of providing Services as deriving from the provisions of the Code, the Distribution License, the Operation of Distribution Network License, with primary objective of ensuring the smooth, secure, reliable and uninterrupted operation of the Distribution Networks.

Taking into account the protection of employees and consumers with respect to the announcements of EODY (National Public Health Organization) and the State against the spread of covid – 19, EDA THESS management prepared a special plan for its business continuity aiming at the uninterrupted operation of its critical services. Furthermore, the Company, with a high sense of responsibility, has restricted the pace of its activities, informing the Authority and Distribution Users.

 

Specifically, in the context of limiting the main activities, as specified in Articles 12 and 13 of the Natural Gas Network Operation Code, the Company’s operating plan with respect to the Main Natural Gas Distribution Activity Services and its supplementary services to the main activity, includes the following:

Main Natural Gas Distribution Activity Services:

 

• Receipt of natural gas quantities by the Operator at the Entry Points.
• Supply of Natural Gas quantities through the Distribution Network.
• Delivery of Natural Gas quantities by the Operator at the Delivery Points.
• Technical operation of the Distribution Network, and monitoring using control systems.
• Measurement of the natural gas quantity delivered at the Delivery Points.

• Accessible Delivery Points only.

• Providing Distribution Users with access to use of the Distribution Network.
• Development of the Distribution Network.

• Consumers’ offices in Thessaloniki and in four cities in Thessaly operate with restricted and controlled attendance of Consumers while EODY guidelines and the special measures implemented by EDA THESS are strictly applied. At the same time, alternative options for customer service (website, call center, email) have been designed and already announced.

• Ratification of internal installation designs in new and existing buildings.

• Controls of internal installations will be made only for accessible installations. In cases where accessibility into the property is required, all precautionary measures will be taken after prior communication and update of consumers.

• Connection of new Final Customers to the Distribution Network.

• Technical inspections will not be carried out for locating the External Installations, as access is required within Consumers’ property.

• Handling Distribution User change procedures at a Delivery Point.

• Accessible Delivery Points only to receive the indication.

• 24-hour emergency telephone service.
• Distribution Network safety, operation and Emergency response, management of crisis events.
• Supply of new Delivery Points.

• Supply will be made only for accessible installations. In cases where accessibility into the property is required, all precautionary measures will be taken after prior communication and update of consumers.

Supplementary Services:

• Connection of new Delivery Points to the distribution network through construction works on exclusively outdoor and / or public areas that do not require access within the consumers’ property.
• Cut-off, removal or deactivation of a part of the external installation at the request of the Distribution User shall be suspended while request of Final Customers are executed, as works relate exclusively to external and / or public areas that do not require access within the consumers’ property.
• Reactivation of part of the external installation following cut-off, at the request of the Final Customer or Distribution User.

• Will be made only for accessible installations. In cases where accessibility into the property is required, all precautionary measures will be taken after prior communication and update of consumers.

• Taking of meter readings by the Operator, at the request of the Final Customer or Distribution User will be carried out only in Accessible Delivery Points to receive the indication.

 

All the above are in force since Monday 23/03, taking into account daily developments and relevant government announcements and reassessed by the Company.

 

It is noted that Disabled Consumers, Vulnerable Groups and Consumers are served with high priority by EDA THESS, while Emergency Intervention Service operates on a continuous 24 – hour basis to manage incidents observed on the Natural Gas Distribution Network.

 

With a sense of responsibility and respect for its employees and consumers,         EDA THESS guarantees its business continuity and supports the State’s efforts to limit the disease for the benefit of the citizens.

 

 

Certificates of Movement for employees of EDA THESS were issued after the movement restriction which is valid from 23/03/2020.

In the context of ensuring business continuity and in view of the uninterrupted and secure distribution of natural gas, a weekly Human Resource Allocation Schedule is carried out, which is reviewed on the last day of each week. For the current week (23-29/03/2020), EDA THESS’ staff schedule is reflected on a percentage basis, 41,66% being covered by people working in the office or in the field and 58,34% working either remotely or being on leave.

                  

 

Implementation of strict precautionary measures at the Company premises

Control for the Alignment of the precautionary measures implementation was carried out by the General Manager of EDA THESS, Mr Leonidas Bakouras, at EDA THESS’ premises regarding the limitation of new Coronavirus (Covid-19). In particular, he visited the Customer Service Office, visitor`s entrance and Protocol Office.

He noticed that public attendance is reduces while citizens are expressing their satisfaction with the quality of both the electronic and telephone services provided by EDA THESS.

At the same time, with the implementation of employees` remote work and the use of teleconferences, the number of employees who come to the corporate premises daily is also reduced.

Furthermore, he noted the strict application of the EODY (National Public Health Organization) protection instructions and the special measures implemented by EDA THESS` employees, while daily disinfection is carried out throughout the Company's premises.

As he stated, "EDA THESS, with increased readiness status, implements remote work, adapts to the circumstances and updates its operational plan for its business continuity. Thus, we ensure the uninterrupted and safe natural gas distribution while providing efficient services to consumers. At the same time, in consistency we integrate all precautionary measures throughout our activities and operations to protect employees and citizens”.

Precautionary measures of EDA THESS to protect employees and the public

EDA THESS has already taken precautionary measures aiming at the limitation of the new Coronavirus (Covid-19) and the protection of employees and public health, announcing on time their implementation. More specifically:

 

• A Special Precautionary Measures Team «CATENACCIO» and a Support Telephone Line have been established.
• Travel restrictions have been imposed for destinations abroad and domestic travel is avoided.
• General Precautionary Measures are strictly applied in accordance with National Public Health Organization instructions. Staff movements within buildings / between floors and between Company`s Areas of Responsibility are limited and special precautionary measures were also taken for the offices, reception and protocol services.
• Participating or organizing meetings is avoided.
• The limitation of EDA THESS’ operations has been decided by applying remote work policies.

 

*For the application of the above precautionary measures, Shareholders, BoD members, Company staff, Energy Regulatory Authority, Distribution Users, local entities, affiliates and the public have been informed.

 

Operation of Customer Service Offices:

 

Citizens are advised not to come to the Service Offices and be served through the following alternatives:

 

• At cust@edathess.gr for submission of documents, questions and / or requests (connection, supply, extension, disconnection, etc.)
• At req@edathess.gr specifically for Vulnerable Groups are being served with priority, for submission of documents, questions and / or requests (connection, supply, extension, disconnection, etc.)
• At www.edathess.gr  for information, submitting connection requests, registering metering readings, progress of construction works, electronic submission of studies
• At the telephone lines 11150 or 2310584444 for submission of questions and / or requests (connection, supply, extension, disconnection, etc.)

 

In cases of Emergency in the Distribution Network, citizens can call at 10302, which operates on a continuous 24-hour basis.

The internal communication which was sent to the Company’s staff in relation to the precautionary measures taken by EDA THESS to limit the spread of Coronavirus.