The co-funded projects in Kilkis, Serres, Katerini, Giannitsa, Veria, and Alexandria are nearing completion – Natural gas penetration in Thessaloniki is increasing
The major natural gas distribution infrastructure development projects in the Region of Central Macedonia were at the center of a meeting held in a climate of constructive dialogue between the Regional Governor of Central Macedonia, Ms. Athina Athanasiadou–Aidoná, and the CEO of Enaon EDA, Ms. Francesca Zanninotti, with the participation of company executives.
During the meeting, discussions focused on increasing the penetration of natural gas in the Regional Unit of Thessaloniki and on the progress of the co-funded network construction projects in six additional cities of the Region: Kilkis, Serres, Katerini, Giannitsa, Veria, and Alexandria.
According to the strategic plan of Enaon EDA, a subsidiary of Enaon of the Italgas group, the co-funded projects are being completed in line with the company’s development program, strengthening the area with modern energy infrastructure ready for the distribution of renewable gases. Specifically:
In Veria, 25 km of low- and medium-pressure network have already been constructed, out of a total of 40 km to be completed by 2026. A large part of the network has already been activated. More than 100 customer service lines have also been built, with new connections continuing to be added.
In Alexandria, 87% of the network total length 28 km has been constructed, and the city is expected to be supplied with natural gas within December.
In Giannitsa, the project has been almost entirely completed. A total of 45 km of low-pressure distribution network and approximately 930 customer connections have been built.
In Katerini, 34% of the low-pressure distribution network has been completed, out of a total length of 40 km, while construction work and customer connections are in full progress.
In Serres, 59% of the 41 km network has been completed, while in Kilkis, 86% of the 31 km network is finished.
According to the Programme Inclusion Act, this is a project with a total budget of €49.2 million, of which Public Expenditure, through the Operational Programme of the Region of Central Macedonia, amounts to €20.2 million, while the remainder consists of the company’s own contribution and non-eligible costs. The purely construction-related part of the project has a total budget of €30.7 million. With co-funding from Greece and the European Union, the projects were launched using funds from the 2014–2020 NSRF and are being completed through the 2021–2027 Central Macedonia Programme.
The co-funded development projects for natural gas distribution infrastructure in the Region of Central Macedonia are of strategic importance for the local community, with multiplier benefits, as they reduce energy costs while also contributing to environmental protection. Thousands of households and businesses have already been connected to the natural gas distribution networks, as well as important public infrastructures such as the hospitals of Giannitsa, Serres, and Kilkis, school units, the Red Cross facilities in Serres, the municipal swimming pool and childcare centers of the Municipality of Katerini.
According to the data presented during the meeting, natural gas infrastructure plays a key role in ensuring affordable energy costs, which is reflected in increased demand in 2025.
Indicatively, in the Regional Unit of Thessaloniki, new connection contracts increased by 35% compared to 2024. In addition to residential and commercial consumers, there was a significant increase in connection contracts from industries, while growing interest was recorded for the connection of public buildings such as hospitals, schools, etc. In 2025, there was also a 15% increase in the activation of new consumer connections compared to 2024.
Strong interest in connecting to the natural gas distribution network is also recorded in the six cities of the Region of Central Macedonia, where new connection contracts increased by 18% in 2025 compared to 2024.
It is noted that in the cities where co-funded projects are being implemented, a 100% discount on connection fees applies to all residential and commercial consumers.
