DESFA inaugurated its Technical Training Centre in Nea Messimvria, Thessaloniki, today Friday, September 6. The Centre seeks to become a leading hub of innovation and excellence in green energy and sustainable gas network development, offering both theoretical and practical training to industry executives and technicians, paving the way for a sustainable energy future. The inauguration was attended by the Minister of Environment and Energy, Theodoros Skylakakis, the Deputy Minister of Environment and Energy, Alexandra Sdoukou, the Secretary General for Energy & Mineral Resources, Aristotelis Aivaliotis and the CEO of DESFA, Maria Rita Galli.
Leveraging the extensive experience and high expertise of its executives, DESFA established the first training centre of its kind in Southeastern Europe, aiming to advance the sector and accelerate the energy transition. The Centre aims to serve as a hub of innovation, enhancing the collaboration between the Operator and the academic and research communities. Its operation elevates the educational and training initiatives undertaken by DESFA, following recent collaborations with leading Greek universities such as the International University, the University of Western Macedonia and the University of Thessaly.
Strategically positioned at the core of Southeast Europe’s natural gas markets, the Centre will deliver training services to DESFA’s technical staff and extend training opportunities to personnel from other Transmission and Distribution Operators across Greece and the broader region.
In addition to theoretical training, the facilities will offer trainees the opportunity to actively engage in problem-solving within controlled simulation environments, utilizing technology employed in real network operating conditions. Moreover, certain modules will be linked to obtaining KEDIVIM (Lifelong Learning Centre Accreditation from the International University) certification, providing additional incentives for participation.
The Technical Training Centre will also serve as a research and development hub for the transition to the hydrogen economy, conducting measurements to determine optimal conditions for hydrogen injection into the current natural gas network and exploring new opportunities for hydrogen use and investment in this growing sector.
In the context of the event, the Minister of Environment and Energy, Theodoros Skylakakis, stated: “It is our pleasure to inaugurate DESFA’s Technical Training Center in Nea Mesimvria, a ‘jewel’ of a building equipped with all the necessary facilities to serve as a natural gas training center. Investments must always be effective. They must make economic sense and be environmentally sustainable. DESFA’s project, by providing specialized training equipment, is an investment that will undoubtedly yield a satisfactory return for both the Greek consumer and taxpayer. This is the ‘key’ to the energy policy we must follow: ensuring that the consumer’s and taxpayer’s money is safeguarded while providing abundant and affordable energy, meeting the goals of the green transition.”
For her part, the Deputy Minister of Environment and Energy, Alexandra Sdoukou, pointed out: “Our energy transition demands not only substantial investment in new infrastructure and technologies but also a continuous commitment to training and upskilling the workforce to lead and support this collective effort. In our mission to enhance the skills and expertise of thousands of industry professionals, facilities like the first Technical Training Centre for natural gas infrastructure in Southeast Europe, which we proudly inaugurated today, are essential to driving progress in this direction.”
In turn, the CEO of DESFA, Maria Rita Galli, said: “Promoting innovation and continuous learning is central to our corporate culture. The path to clean energy involves not just constructing infrastructure but also investing in training the individuals who will drive the transition to a zero-pollution future. Through our new Technical Training Centre, we are establishing a key regional training hub to expedite our journey toward climate neutrality. DESFA is laying the groundwork for the energy of the future, investing in people, innovation, and infrastructure equipped to address future demands.”
