It’s from a billion euros the total investment predicted from Italgas in Greece as part of the Group Strategic Plan 2024-2030. A program of activities that the subsidiary Enaon will develop over time four main directionsto support the ongoing ecological transition process. The presentation was made by Italgas CEO Paolo Gallo, Enaon CEO Barbara Morgante and Enaon Eda CEO Francesca Zaninotti during an event in Athens. On 1 September 2022, Italgas completed the acquisition of Depa Infrastructure, a company which was subsequently renamed Enaon.
The main objectives of the Greek subsidiary are: methanization of the territories not yet reached by the gas distribution service and contribution to the phase out of more polluting fuels such as lignite and coal; digital transformation of the networkincluding the replacement of traditional smart meters with “H2 ready” technology; development of renewable gases, biomethane and hydrogen green first and foremost, to strengthen the contribution to the decarbonisation of consumption; repurposing of the existing network to make energy infrastructure more flexible, ready for a more sustainable energy future.
The Plan develops over a period of time 7 yearsconsistently with the growth trajectory of the Group.
Gallo: “Enaon’s contribution to the development of Greece”
“This Plan makes one billion euros available to Greece and outlines the development path of the country’s energy infrastructure. A path that passes through the ability to continue to enhance local know-how, using the experience gained in Italy to reduce the application times of cutting-edge technologies and the development of the network”, highlighted Paolo Gallo during a press conference. “The digital transformation of the network, the introduction of the DANA platform for its full automation and the installation of Nimbus, the ‘H2 ready’ smart meter – continued Gallo – will allow the green gas revolution to be rapidly enabled. The contribution of Enaon to the country’s development is concrete and visible: actively promoting an ecological transition which, net of ideologies, guarantees safety, sustainability and cost competitiveness for families and businesses”.
Objective 920,000 customers by 2030
In detail, the Plan allocates 650 million euros to the construction of over 3,000 kilometers of new network, aimed at bringing the service to areas not yet reached. This development will make it possible to power another 18 ‘with a new energy source (including Patra, Ioannina, Kastoria, Florina, Grevena, Orestiada) and expand the customer base served by Enaon from the current 615,000 to 920,000 in 2030. As part of the development of the network, the application of the distribution system based on cryogenic LNG deposits is also envisaged, which is particularly effective for remote areas not reached by the large methane transport backbones, thus allowing energy isolation to be overcome. There will be 9 LNG depots built in the first part of the Plan. In 2025, 100% of the assets will be digitized and in 2026 the proprietary DANA (Digital Advanced Network Automation) software will be integrated for the automated management and remote control of networks and systems. The DANA technology, successfully applied to the Italian network, will be extended to Enaon taking into account its peculiarities, demonstrating the flexibility of a technology unique in the world, capable of combining artificial intelligence and machine learning principles, so as to guarantee greater efficiency , safety and sustainability.
Digital transformation begins, new Nimbus meters already in 2025
The digital transformation path also involves the replacement of current traditional meters with Nimbus, the “H2 ready” smart meter, which guarantees the best performance in terms of remote management and remote reading, capable of managing mixtures of natural and renewable gas. The installation of Nimbus will begin as early as 2025 and will affect approximately 570,000 meters. Furthermore, the use of Picarro for the planned search for gas leaks is already consolidated in Greece. The most cutting-edge technology globally in preventive network monitoring will allow 200% of the network to be inspected starting from 2025, after having reached 150% already in 2024.
Development of renewable gas production
The commitment to the development of the production of renewable gases is significant. A smart, digital and flexible network is the key prerequisite for distributing biomethane and hydrogen, even in blending with natural gas. This is why, in addition to working on the digital development of the infrastructure, Enaon is engaged in a screening of the country’s main biogas plants to promote their upgrade to biomethane and for connection to the distribution network. On the hydrogen front, however, an assessment is already underway on the entire distribution network to evaluate its performance and develop the interventions necessary for the further evolution of the infrastructure. Particular attention is paid to the continuous enhancement and integration of the Group’s people, with the aim of developing an increasingly shared corporate culture based on the common values of diversity, equal opportunities and inclusion. To respond to the many challenges, guide and make change effective, the Group continues to implement policies aimed at attracting the best talent and constantly introducing new skills, also thanks to the focus on staff training.