Due to trees collapsing on overhead transmission lines due to heavy snowfall there were electricity outages in many parts of Greece, including Athens. This has prompted discussions over the need for underground electricity transmission and overall modernization of electricity distribution network in the country.
Investments in distribution network have fallen behind over the past eight years, dropping from 280 million euros in 2012 to 123 million euros in 2018, before rebounding to 135 million euros in 2019 and an unconfirmed 178 million euros in 2020. This reduction in investments by DEDDIE was due to poor financial situation of its parent company Public Power Corporation (PPC) during this period.
Greek Minister of Energy Kostas Skrekas reminded that ten years of economic crisis in Greece has led to slight infrastructure regression, adding that the Government has allotted 200 million euros of recovery fund money for underground cable investments.
According to electricity distribution system operator DEDDIE, the installation of 7.4 million smart electricity meters, a project worth some 800 million euros, remains a priority.
