{"id":675054,"date":"2026-04-27T11:04:15","date_gmt":"2026-04-27T08:04:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ena-on.com\/?p=675054"},"modified":"2026-04-27T11:07:17","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T08:07:17","slug":"fr-zanninotti-gas-distribution-network-as-a-pillar-of-energy-security-and-affordability","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ena-on.com\/en\/2026\/04\/27\/fr-zanninotti-gas-distribution-network-as-a-pillar-of-energy-security-and-affordability\/","title":{"rendered":"Fr. Zanninotti (Enaon EDA): Gas Distribution Network as a Pillar of Energy Security, and Affordability"},"content":{"rendered":"

Participation of Enaon EDA CEO Francesca Zanninotti at Delphi Economic Forum \u03a7\u0399<\/em><\/p>\n

The pivotal role of gas distribution networks in the energy transition\u2014as infrastructure that ensures energy security and affordable energy today , while also supporting the integration of renewable gases in the future \u2014was highlighted by Ms Francesca Zanninotti<\/strong>, C\u0395\u039f of Enaon EDA<\/strong>, a subsidiary of Enaon of the Italgas Group, during her participation at Delphi Economic Forum XI<\/strong>, in the thematic session \u201cFrom emissions to solutions\u201d.<\/p>\n

Ms Zanninotti emphasised that energy transition is often described as single goal: reducing emissions, but in fact it represents a complex challenge that is simultaneously linked to security of supply and affordability\u2014the so-called \u201cenergy trilemma\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cDecarbonisation cannot be separated from the stability and the economic sustainability of the system. This is particularly relevant today, in a context shaped by geopolitical uncertainty, volatility in gas markets, and rising pressure on energy costs for households and industry. In that environment, the question is not simply how we reduce emissions. The real question is: How do we decarbonise while maintaining a system that still works\u201d, she highlighted.<\/p>\n

It is noted that today Enaon EDA manages a natural gas distribution network in Greece of over 9,000 km, serving approximately 655,000 customers across 117 municipalities, distributing energy to households, businesses, public buildings, and industries.<\/p>\n

According to data presented by Ms Zanninotti, in 2025 approximately 1.13 billion cubic metres of natural gas were distributed, with 44% directed to industry, while around 37,000 new connections were recorded. Natural gas demand in Greece is showing stabilisation and recovery, reaching 6.3 bcm in 2025 (an increase of 5% compared to 2024), with projections of 6.8 bcm in 2030 and 6.7 bcm in 2034, confirming the importance of natural gas in the energy mix.<\/p>\n

The CEO of Enaon EDA highlighted biomethane as a mature and immediately deployable solution, fully compatible with existing infrastructure that the company manages in Greece. \u201cOur networks are biomethane-ready, they do not need to be repurposed to distribute biomethane \u2014they are already technically and digitally compatible. We have mapped existing biogas units, identifying sites of potential connections with minimal new investment. Greece has taken a decisive step with the adoption of a complete framework for biomethane production, certification and injection into the grid. To unlock this potential, a stable incentive framework is now required,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

At the same time, referring to hydrogen, Ms Zanninotti underlined the need for a realistic approach, with initial emphasis on blending it with natural gas and leveraging existing infrastructure where technically feasible. In this context, the company has completed an assessment of its network, with results showing that over 90% is already compatible with hydrogen blends of up to 5%, while the target is network compatibility with blends of up to 20%.<\/p>\n

Referring to methane emissions, the CEO of Enaon EDA noted that the company, which joined OGMP 2.0 in 2024, has already achieved for the second consecutive year the Gold Standard Pathway distinction, reducing its emissions by 28.6% over two years.<\/p>\n

The company\u2019s programme is based on three strategic pillars:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Leak detection and repair programmes:<\/strong> Advanced technologies are used, such as the Picarro system, which is up to 1,000 times more sensitive compared to conventional detectors, with full network inspection twice per year.<\/li>\n
  2. Infrastructure modernisation:<\/strong> Upgrading of the cast iron network in Athens, as well as upgrading equipment such as domestic reducers over 15 years old, as best practice that goes beyond the current regulatory framework.<\/li>\n
  3. Digitalisation of the network:<\/strong> Transformation of the network into a digitally managed energy platform through the replacement of traditional meters with smart ones, such as Nimbus, and the implementation of the DANA platform, enabling real-time network monitoring with enhanced cybersecurity.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

     <\/p>\n

    To implement these actions, the company is implementing an investment programme of nearly \u20ac1 billion, within the framework of the Strategic Plan of its parent Group Italgas, aiming to strengthen the energy transition and evolve networks into modern, digital, low-emission infrastructure.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThe energy transition is not only about reducing emissions. It is about transforming a system that must remain reliable, affordable, and secure. In this context, gas networks are part of the solution, enabling the distribution of energy today and renewable gases tomorrow\u201d concluded Ms Zanninotti.<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Participation of Enaon EDA CEO Francesca Zanninotti at Delphi Economic Forum \u03a7\u0399 The pivotal role of gas distribution networks in the energy transition\u2014as infrastructure that ensures energy security and affordable […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-675054","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-press-release"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ena-on.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/675054","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ena-on.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ena-on.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ena-on.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ena-on.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=675054"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.ena-on.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/675054\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ena-on.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=675054"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ena-on.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=675054"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ena-on.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=675054"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}