Speaking at the Athens Energy Summit, Enaon’s CEO highlighted that decarbonisation must be combined with affordable energy and security of supply
The strategic role of natural gas distribution networks in the energy transition was highlighted by Ms. Barbara Morgante, CEO of Enaon, member of Italgas Group, speaking today at the Athens Energy Summit.
Ms. Morgante participated, among distinguished speakers, in the thematic section “Energy Versus Competitiveness: Turning the Energy Transition into an Economic Driver for Growth”, stressing that decarbonisation must be combined with affordable energy and security of supply.
Currently, Enaon manages, through its subsidiary Enaon EDA, approximately 9,000 km of gas distribution network across 117 municipalities in Greece, serving more than 645,000 consumers, and continues to invest in the expansion, modernisation and digitalisation of its infrastructure. At the same time, the company is developing small-scale LNG projects to serve remote areas, strengthening energy security and supporting regional development.
As Ms Morgante noted, the networks are ready to accomodate biomethane, without requiring additional interventions, while laying the foundations for the future integration of hydrogen blends. This approach ensures optimal use of existing infrastructure, limits costs for consumers and provides flexibility to the energy system.
“Greece possesses a particularly high potential for biomethane production, while simultaneously utilising the existing distribution infrastructure. The energy transition cannot rely on a single solution; a combination of technologies is required. In this context, natural gas can play the role of a stabilising factor within the energy system and then give way to green molecules to flow within the existing infrastructure”, Ms Morgante said.
Referring to the role of Distribution System Operators (DSOs), the CEO underlined that the energy transition is primarily driven by the regulated business, while carefully designed non-regulated services can play a complementary role in enhancing energy efficiency, promoting innovation, accelerating the energy transition and the creation of new markets, provided that an appropriate regulatory framework is in place.
Through targeted investments, innovation and cooperation with all stakeholders, Enaon actively contributes to an economically viable, secure and socially just energy transition.
