WRITTEN QUESTION No. 648/97 by Nikitas KAKLAMANIS to the Commission. Construction of natural gas power stations
Date: 1997-03-06
Institutions: European Parliament, KAKLAMANIS
Subjects: Greece, Western Balkans, energy policy, environmental protection, natural gas, nuclear power station, power plant, self-supply, siting of power stations













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91997E0648

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 648/97 by Nikitas KAKLAMANIS to the Commission. Construction of natural gas power stations  


Official Journal C 319 , 18/10/1997 P. 0147 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0648/97 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (6 March 1997)Subject: Construction of natural gas power stationsA system has recently been inaugurated in Greece for channelling natural gas from Russia, a project which will help reduce costs for industry, improve the quality of the air and promote Greece's self-sufficiency in energy.A proposal has also been put forward to build two combined cycle natural gas power stations, one close to the Greek-Albanian border (to ensure supplies from Albania) and the other close to the Greek-Bulgarian border. Particular priority is being accorded to the latter, since it will lead to the replacement of Bulgarian-produced energy from the extremely dangerous Kozloduy nuclear plant.These projects are in line with EU policy which seeks to promote the development of the countries of the Balkan Peninsular and to upgrade environmental protection there.Will the Commission say, in the light of the above, whether it intends to provide aid for the construction of the two above projects - and, if so, in what form-, given that they are fully in line with the objectives of the EU which is endeavouring, through the transeuropean energy networks, to promote its own self-sufficiency in energy?Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission (17 April 1997)First, it must be pointed out that the Member States and electricity companies are responsible for investment planning relating to power stations.However, at the beginning of each year, the Commission receives information on the planning of such investments. It has not been notified of the plans to build new gas power stations in Greece for exporting electricity to Albania and Bulgaria.The present 'natural gas' project in Greece provides for the use of natural gas in power stations in Attica and in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace. In the latter region, a power station will be built in Komotini, supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), in order to improve the electricity supply to this peripheral region of North Eastern Greece and contribute to its economic development.The Commission has received a request for financial support for studies relating to extension of the Greek gas network to Western Macedonia and Albania. The request has met with a positive response and the decision to support the study should be taken during the next few months under the transeuropean networks programme. Inter alia, the study will look at the demand for gas in North Western Greece and Albania, especially for electricity production.Under the Synergy energy programme the Commission is also supporting a study concerning the creation of a regional electricity market in the Balkans.