Preliminary investigations into this year’s wildfires have raised questions about Greece’s electricity distribution network, with incidents linked to the power system potentially accounting for around 75% of the area burned. The assessment contrasts with distribution operator DEDDIE’s earlier position that its infrastructure was responsible for about 1% of forest fires in 2025.
Recent fires in Attica, Crete and Arta have brought the issue back into focus, including the effectiveness of inspection programmes and vegetation clearance around electricity infrastructure. The renewed attention centres on network maintenance, asset condition and vegetation management.
Scale of DEDDIE’s distribution footprint and renewable integration
The operational challenge is described as substantial for DEDDIE, which manages almost 254,000 kilometres of network and more than 167,000 substations. The operator serves around 7.67 million users.
At the same time, more than 9.1 GW of renewable capacity has been connected to the system. This has increased the volume and complexity of infrastructure requiring monitoring and maintenance.
Asset data gaps, outsourced work and staffing constraints
Technicians have raised concerns about incomplete information covering the location, age and physical condition of some assets. They also point to weaknesses in outsourced inspection and vegetation-clearance activities.
Staffing has emerged as another constraint, with the technical workforce estimated at around 3,000, significantly below historical levels. This affects capacity to manage monitoring and preventive activities across the network.
Undergrounding costs and targeted risk-reduction measures
A wholesale conversion of overhead networks to underground cables is not regarded as economically realistic. Underground systems can cost as much as five times more than overhead lines.
The alternative being discussed is a targeted approach that includes undergrounding in particularly high-risk locations. It also involves greater use of insulated conductors, automated fault-isolation equipment, drones, sensors and more intensive preventive maintenance.
Investment programme through 2030 and regulator scrutiny
DEDDIE has an investment programme running through 2030. However, regulator RAAEY has criticised delays in maintenance and questioned elements of planned expenditure.
The emphasis is therefore described as shifting toward capital allocation rather than capital volume. The key question is whether available investment is directed quickly enough toward parts of the Greek distribution network exposed to weather, vegetation, equipment failure and wildfire risk.
