The natural gas flame-lighting ceremony was carried out by the CEO of Enaon EDA, Francesca Zanninotti, in the presence of the Regional Governor of Central Greece and the Mayor of Karpenisi.
Enaon EDA, a subsidiary of Enaon of the Italgas Group, proceeded with the activation of the first part of the natural gas distribution network in Karpenisi, offering households and businesses in the city a more sustainable energy option as early as this winter.
Karpenisi, together with Chalkida, Thebes, Livadia, Lamia and Amfissa, is one of the six cities in the Region of Central Greece with natural gas infrastructure projects, contributing to the region’s energy upgrade.
The natural gas flame-lighting ceremony in Karpenisi took place on Friday, 28 November, conducted by the CEO of Enaon EDA, Ms Francesca Zanninotti, in the presence of the Regional Governor of Central Greece, Mr Fanis Spanos, the Mayor of Karpenisi, Mr Christos Kakavas, the MP for Evrytania, Ms. Thomais Oikonomou, as well as representatives of local bodies.
During her speech, the CEO of Enaon EDA, Ms Francesca Zanninotti, underlined:
“With the significant support of the Region of Central Greece, through the co-funded infrastructure projects under the NSRF, we have enabled six cities — Chalkida, Thiva, Livadia, Lamia, Amfissa and Karpenisi — to join the natural gas network. And today we are here in Karpenisi for the activation of the first part of the natural gas distribution network. It is truly important for us to bring natural gas to a remote area such as Karpenisi, enabling households and businesses to access a more sustainable energy solution with a significant reduction in energy costs, especially in regions like this, with colder winter and higher energy needs.”
The Regional Governor of Central Greece, Mr Fanis Spanos, stated: ” We symbolically lit the natural gas flame in Karpenisi, continuing an effort initiated by Kostas Bakoyannis to expand the natural gas distribution network to six cities in our region: Lamia, Chalkida, Livadia, Thebes, Amfissa, and Karpenisi. At the symbolic natural gas flame lighting ceremony, we agreed that numbers have their importance and value. However, the €3,970,000 budgeted for the implementation of the project (in Karpenisi and Amfissa), with 44.84% of the funding coming from the NSRF of the Region of Central Greece, the kilometers of the network, and other massive quantitative data. The real value lies in the €50, €60, €70 that a household will save each month by using natural gas! So we are moving forward—now officially—to give even more of our fellow citizens access to a more economical, cleaner, and more efficient form of energy!”
The Mayor of Karpenisi, Mr Christos Kakavas, stated: “Today, Karpenisi is taking an important step forward, with the official launch of a major energy-upgrade project that opens new paths for the development of our region. Connecting our city to the natural gas network is not just a technical or energy development. It is a project that will strengthen the local economy, reduce costs for households and businesses, and contribute meaningfully to the sustainable and greener future of our Municipality. I would like to thank everyone who worked to bring this important project to the implementation stage. The cooperation between the Municipality, the Region and Hellenic Gas Distribution Company Enaon EDA proves in practice that when there is a shared vision, the results are visible and substantial”.
The Member of Parliament for Evrytania, Ms. Thomais Oikonomou expressed her satisfaction for the arrival of natural gas in Karpenisi, stressing that it will upgrade the city’s energy infrastructure, reduce heating costs for households and businesses, and improve the quality of life for residents.
The natural gas distribution infrastructure development project in Karpenisi and Amfissa, led by Enaon EDA, has a total budget of approximately €4 million and is co-financed by the company’s own funds and resources from the NSRF, through the Operational Programme of the Region of Central Greece. With the co-financing of Greece and the European Union, the project began with funding from the NSRF 2014–2020 and will be completed through the Central Greece 2021–2027 Programme.
In Karpenisi, 6.5 km of natural gas distribution network have already been constructed, almost all of them activated, while an additional 15.5 km are planned for its expansion.
Interest from households and businesses in connecting to the network is strong. So far, 80 connection applications have been submitted for the part already constructed, and 20 contracts have been signed. The activation of the first consumer connections is expected in December. Beyond the constructed network, a further 250 expressions of interest have also been recorded.
According to the company’s planning, the construction of the network in Karpenisi will have been completed by 2026, alongside the implementation of most consumer connections.
It is noted that, within the framework of the co-funded project, all residential and commercial consumers benefit from a 100% discount on connection fees.
