A safer, more environmentally friendly and economically efficient energy source is literally on its way to downtown Athens. Natural gas, a clean burning fuel, will soon be delivered into more than 30,000 homes and businesses in Athens' historical centre, in an ambitious state initiative to improve the quality of air in the capital, infamous for its smog.
A joint ministerial decision to replace electricity with natural gas was signed in February 2000 by the ministers of Environment, Natural Planning and Public Works, National Economy and Development. This step was gladly received by both environmentalists and downtown residents - the latter being especially keen to make the switch to this competitively priced energy source.
The natural gas will be distributed in underground pipes constructed by the state-owned DEPA, the Public Natural Gas Corporation. In a short time, pipelines will span the entire historical centre, which includes the districts of Plaka, Metaxourgio, Kerameikos, Thissio, Psyrri, Exarhia and Kolonaki. The use of natural gas in these areas will be mandatory.
A spokesperson for EDA, the Public Gas Distribution company, announced recently that there are currently some 6,000 natural gas consumers - home and business owners - in downtown Athens and another 2,300 all over Attica. The vast majority of industries currently running on natural gas are located in western Athens. A boom in Attica's natural gas industry is expected over the next 10 years in view of increased consumption in downtown Athens, as well as in areas undergoing rapid development due to proximity with Athens 2004 Olympic works or the new Eleftherios Venizelos international airport.
A country-wide project
DEPA is currently working to upgrade and extend the existing pipeline network, so that natural gas will be soon available throughout the country. The basic groundwork for this multi-billion-drachma project is scheduled to be complete next year. According to the ministry of Development, as many as one million households around the country will switch to natural gas over the next five-year period.
The main high-pressure pipeline, for the transportation of natural gas from the Greek-Bulgarian border to Attica, is 512 kilometres long. There is also a 440-kilometre-long high-pressure branch line stretching from Eastern Macedonia and Thrace to Thessaloniki, Volos and Attica.
In an effort to enhance the role of this new utility, the government recently granted a 49% stake of EDA to energy giant Royal Dutch/Shell and US utility Cinergy Corp , while retaining the remaining 51%. This new gas company, which will be named EPA ATTIKI, is set to develop and operate the natural gas system in the Athens region promising to revolutionise the lives of thousands of Greek capital residents.
How safe is natural gas?
Though natural gas is viewed as one of the safest energy sources available proving to be ideal for cooking, space and water heating, accidents can happen; pipelines can leak or explode, causing injuries, loss of life and serious property damage. Athens natural gas network proved its endurance when it survived the strong 5.9-Richter earthquake in September 1999. What's more, pipes passing under commercial and residential areas are designed in accordance with strict anti-seismic guidelines and made of steel and polyethylene, materials with a high level of elasticity.
In the case of a gas leak, however, EDA operates a 24-hour emergency technical service (phone 00301-3463365). And since natural gas is colourless and odourless, EDA mixes its fuel with an easily detectable odorant, as an added safety precaution in the remote possibility of a leak.
