Today, DESFA inaugurated the Ampelia Farsala Natural Gas Compression Station, a project of strategic importance that further strengthens the National Natural Gas Transmission System and upgrades Greece’s role as a reliable energy hub in Southeastern and Central Europe. The inauguration ceremony was honored by the presence and welcoming remarks of the Minister of the Environment and Energy, Mr. Stavros Papastavrou, the Deputy Regional Governor of Thessaly, Mr. Konstantinos Barboutis, as well as the Mayor of Farsala, Mr. Iordanis Eskioglou.
The new Ampelia Compressor Station, which is added to the network a few months after the Komotini Compressor Station, will contribute decisively to strengthening energy security and diversification of the country’s natural gas supply sources, as it provides the necessary compression and flexibility required to meet increased flows and pressures in the network, both from south to north and vice versa. In combination with other projects, such as the Komotini Compressor Station, it further strengthens the Vertical Corridor, allowing Greece’s export capacity to the North to reach 8.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year, upgrading the country’s role as an energy hub.
The project is included in the 2024-2033 Development Program of DESFA and is one of the largest investments that have been implemented in recent years in the Region of Thessaly, with its total budget amounting to €73.94 million. It has been implemented within the framework of the Operational Program Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation (NSRF 2014-2020) with co-financing by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) of the European Union, with Public Expenditure amounting to €30.1 million.
The Station is located next to the existing facilities of the Central Greece Operation & Maintenance Center of DESFA, in Ampelia, Farsala. It has an operating capacity of 20 MW, through two compression units of 10 MW each, as well as a backup unit of 10 MW, offering high operational flexibility and the ability to compress in reverse flow. At the same time, it has been designed with specifications that allow the reception of mixtures of hydrogen with natural gas, enhancing the long-term compatibility of infrastructure with the energy transition.
In his address, the Minister of Environment and Energy, Mr. Stavros Papastavrou, stated: «It is a day of special significance and added value for the region. We inaugurated a flagship project that leads Thessaly into the future. A major investment of approximately €75 million, one of the largest in the area. The Mayor, the Region, DESFA, the Government—we all worked together on something very important. Thus, the Ampelia Compression Station strengthens the stability and flexibility of our energy policy, safeguards our country, brings jobs to the region, and demonstrates that when we all cooperate, we can achieve a great deal».
On the occasion of the inauguration, the President of the Board of Directors of DESFA, Mr. Paschalis Bouchoris, stated: “DESFA plays a key role in shielding the country’s energy security and in the overall geopolitical upgrading of the country. The investment we are launching today is not just another infrastructure project, but a substantial contribution of DESFA to the implementation of the national strategy to strengthen the resilience of our energy system, regional stability and economic growth. It proves in practice that large-scale energy infrastructure can simultaneously serve national planning and offer tangible benefits to local communities, creating new opportunities, new jobs and a strong development footprint”.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, DESFA CEO, Maria Rita Galli, highlighted: “The Ampelia Compressor Station is another important milestone in the series of strategic projects that DESFA has been consistently implementing with high technical excellence in recent years. Together with the recently inaugurated Komotini Compressor Station, they form an integrated, state‑of‑the‑art infrastructure system that significantly enhances the resilience, safety, and operational flexibility of our network. These projects contribute to the reliable operation of the National Natural Gas System, enabling the country to respond more effectively to the demands of a dynamically evolving energy landscape and to strengthen its energy security. At the same time, they substantially upgrade Greece’s role as an energy hub for the wider region of Southeastern and Central‑Eastern Europe, increasing the country’s export capacity and expanding the prospects for its energy future.”
