The Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Christos Staikouras commented at the 4th Conference on Dams and Reservoirs organized by the Hellenic Committee for Large Dams (EEMF).
According to MR. e Staikouras, these projects are key pillars for the security of our water management, agricultural production, water supply, energy production and flood protection. The post-war history of Greece is inextricably linked to the development of these large structures, which have played a crucial role in the development and prosperity of our modern society.
"Recently, Thessaly experienced the catastrophic floods of the Mediterranean cyclone 'Daniel', with tragic loss of human life and serious impact on infrastructure, crops and property of the residents of the affected areas. These extreme phenomena highlight the need for a well-planned and an integrated water resources management system, with infrastructures that can effectively protect the local communities," Mr. Staikouras emphasized.
The Ministry's agenda in this area are as follows:
- The "Construction of Tsiknia Dam, Lesvos Prefecture, Water Treatment Facilities and Networks" projects, with a budget of 98 million euros, to ensure high quality drinking water in Lesvos.
- The projects for the "Construction of Reservoir at the location of Agiokambos - Livadotopos of the Prefecture of Larissa", budget 19.1 million euros, for the irrigation of the area.
- The tender for the project "Construction of Supplementary Works Savings Banks of Bramiano, Anti-Flood Works of Gra Lygia and Myrto Dam P.E. is in an advanced stage of awarding. Lasithi of Crete", with a budget of 53.5 million euros. And funding of 170 million euros has been secured for the Platy Dam in Crete, which will ensure the water supply of Rethymnon and the irrigation of 45,000 acres in Messara, Heraklion.
As the implementation of such projects requires significant resources, the parallel promotion through Public-Private Partnerships is a tool for the optimal use of available resources, the effective treatment of these requirements and their faster implementation.
Important dam and network projects, which are promoted through PPPs are:
- The Enipea Dam and water distribution networks (irrigation and water supply) in Thessaly.
- The utilization of water potential of the Tavronitis River in Chania.
- Dams for Water Supply in Corfu.
- The Almopaio Dam for irrigation in Pella.
During this period, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport has put 18 dams under construction, with a budget of 329 million euros. Under study-auction, as a public project or with PPP, it has 14 dams, with a budget of 626 million euros. Therefore, it is promoting, throughout the territory, 32 dams, with a total budget of approximately 955 million euros.
