Italgas has announced a landmark €1 billion investment in Greece as part of its 2024-2030 Strategic Plan. The initiative, executed through its subsidiary Enaon, focuses on four key pillars to transform Greece’s energy landscape and accelerate its ecological transition:
- Expanding gas access to unconnected areas, replacing polluting fuels like lignite and coal.
- Digitalizing the network, including deploying “H2 ready” smart meters.
- Promoting renewable gases, such as biomethane and green hydrogen.
- Repurposing infrastructure for a more sustainable and flexible energy future.
A Bold Vision for Greece’s Energy Infrastructure
The plan allocates €650 million for the construction of over 3,000 kilometers of new network, extending gas service to 18 cities, including Patra, Ioannina, Kastoria, Florina, Grevena, and Orestiada. This expansion will increase Enaon’s customer base from 615,000 to 920,000 by 2030, reducing Greece’s reliance on high-emission fuels and promoting cleaner energy use.
To address energy isolation in remote regions, the plan includes the construction of nine cryogenic LNG depots, delivering gas to areas beyond the reach of main pipelines.
Digital Transformation at the Core
By 2025, Enaon’s assets will be fully digitized, and by 2026, Italgas’s proprietary DANA (Digital Advanced Network Automation) platform will enable automated management and remote monitoring of networks and plants. Successfully implemented in Italy, DANA combines AI and machine learning to enhance efficiency, security, and sustainability while adapting to Greece’s unique energy needs.
Enaon will also replace 570,000 traditional meters with Nimbus, an innovative “H2 ready” smart meter capable of managing natural gas and renewable gas blends. Installation begins in 2025, complementing Greece’s use of Picarro, the world’s most advanced gas leakage detection technology, which will inspect 200% of the network by 2025.
Scaling Renewable Gases
The smart, digitalized network will be crucial for distributing biomethane and hydrogen, including natural gas blends. Enaon is reviewing Greece’s primary biogas facilities for connection to the grid and upgrading them for biomethane production. Simultaneously, the entire distribution network is being assessed for hydrogen compatibility, ensuring future infrastructure evolution.
A Commitment to People and Innovation
In addition to infrastructure advancements, Enaon emphasizes fostering a corporate culture rooted in diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity. The company is implementing policies to attract top talent, develop new skills, and provide comprehensive training to meet the demands of Greece’s energy transition.
Leadership Perspectives
Paolo Gallo, CEO of Italgas, underscored the strategic importance of the plan:
“This €1 billion investment outlines a clear path for Greece’s energy transformation, leveraging our expertise in Italy to implement cutting-edge technologies quickly and effectively. By introducing the DANA platform and Nimbus smart meters, we are accelerating the green gas revolution and contributing to Greece’s sustainable development.”
A Focus on Sustainable Growth
The Italgas Strategic Plan 2024-2030 represents a transformative commitment to Greece’s ecological transition, combining digital innovation, renewable energy promotion, and inclusive workforce development to create a sustainable and competitive energy future for the country.
