02/ 12/ 2014
ANA – MPA — The fact that Greece plans and implements three pipelines to supply the EU with natural gas constitutes a powerful tool in the negotiation of national and economic issues, Environment, Energy and Climate Change Yiannis Maniatis said at the conference of the American-Hellenic Chamber.
These are the TAP pipeline, the central interconnection corridor of Greece, Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary and the East Med pipeline that will transport natural gas from the Eastern Mediterranean through Crete and mainland Greece to Europe, for which, as the minister said, official announcements will made next week in Brussels. “Greece and Cyprus for the first time look other partners in the eyes and state their intention to become a new source of energy supply in Europe,” Maniatis said.
He noted that the pipeline is technically and economically feasible, cheaper than other alternatives and that it is implied that it will also be supplied with Israeli natural gas. Maniatis also expressed confidence that Greek deposits, which will also feed into the new pipeline, will be found.
Maniatis stated that companies have already expressed interest in the data generated by the seismic surveys in the Ionian Sea and south of Crete, a fact that “allows us to be optimist” as he said.
Binding offers for the sale of 66 percent of shares of the Independent Power Transmission Operator (ADMIE) will be submitted in the coming weeks, PPC president and CEO Arthuros Zervos, who participated in the same conference, said.
He also reiterated the need for lower taxes and charges on energy in order to enhance competitiveness and implement transparent and fair rules for all participants.
GEK-Terna head Giorgos Peristeris spoke of irrational structure of the electricity market and stated that Greece should follow the example of other European countries that turn to renewable energy sources not only for environmental but also for fiscal reasons.
Published by: www.amna.gr
