The Institute of Energy for South East Europe (IENE) organized on Saturday, April 28, the “The Energy and Development in East Macedonia and Thrace” conference in the northern city of Alexandroupolis.
The conference met great success with 120 delegates participating, while many local authorities’ representatives honoured the event.
The conference focused on the energy strategy of the region and its prospects on the occasion of the construction and operation of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis pipeline project and the Greek-Turkish gas interconnector which is due to come on stream in July this year.
IENE chairman Mr Costis Stambolis referred to the exciting energy prospects of the region which he termed as the New Energy Gate of Greece.
Despite the environmental concerns that a project of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis scale can cause, at the same time the pipeline can reduce the risk of water and coast pollution of the region as it reduces the number of ship which transit through the Bosporus Straits, supported Professor Nicholaos Kotsovinos of the Thrace University.
Still, the East Macedonia and Thrace region has not been fully exploited despite the large oil fields of the Prinos region,-the focal point of Mr Costas Papaconstantinou, CEO of Kavala Oil.
The region is considered one of the energy-richest in Greece, provided the large deposits of lignite that are in evidence around the area of Drama and limited and high grade uranium deposits in Paranesti- a topic of Constantine Papavasiliou’s speech , geology Professor in the University of Athens.
Local natural gas distribution was presented by Ms Chysoula Triga, senior marketing consultant of Attiki Gas Supply Company. A gas supply company which will cover East Macedonia and Thrace will be established soon, boosting the energy balance of the region, Ms Triga said.
Wider energy topics like renewable energy sources were presented. Wind, solar and geothermal projects are suitable for the region’s environment, capable of covering considerable energy needs.
Professor Michael Fitikas referred to the region’s extensive geothermal potential which can be used both for farming applications and electricity generation.
Finally, EGL Hellas CEO Elias Karidoyannis presented the Trans Adriatic Pipeline project, known as (TAP),- the planned natural gas pipeline- which will connect Greece and Italy through Albania.
The Conference enjoyed the kind support of Public Power Corp, EGL Hellas and Copelouzos Group.