The Venue

Greece and hydropower

As Greece continues its journey in the energy transition, PPC (the Public Power Corporation, which is the country’s largest electric power company) has underlined its strong commitment to more renewable energy development, including the planning of new hydro schemes, the addition of pumped-storage at existing hydro plants, exploitation of the synergy between various renewable energy sources, and acceleration of multipurpose schemes which had been suspended. Completion of the Messochora project is to resume, the 680 MW Amfilochia pumped-storage scheme is underway by a private developer (with more pumped storage planned), and the Metsovitikos hydro scheme is expected to start operating by the end of 2025.

The 156 MW Amari hybrid (wind and pumped-storage) scheme is under construction on the island of Crete; and meanwhile two large hydro projects, Sykia (12.5 MW) and Pefkophyto (160 MW) are under redesign, following a postponement. They are part of a scheme aimed at partial diversion of the Acheloos river to Thessaly.

The first development of hydro coincided with the establishment of PPC in 1950, and today Greece has 16 large hydro plants in operation, four cascade developments and two independent plants. Together they have an installed capacity of 3171 MW, and produce around 3800 GWh/year. There is also 699 MW of pure pumped storage, generating around 275 GWh/year, and there are more than 140 small hydro schemes contributing a further 300 MW.

Today PPC is prioritizing the implementation of more hydro and pumped storage to maximize available dispatchable clean energy.

Pumped-storage is planned to be added at the Pournari and Kastraki plants, and elsewhere in the country it is intended to repurpose disused lignite mines for pumped storage.

Following our very successful HYDRO 2006 conference in Porto Carras, Aqua~Media is delighted to be returning to Greece this year, and the global hydropower community will have an opportunity to learn about Greece’s ‘new wave’ of hydro and pumped-storage development, and to visit some of the schemes on post-conference tours, as well as experience warm Greek hospitality.

A special session on the first morning of the conference, organized in conjunction with the Greek National Committee of ICOLD and the Public Power Corporation, will be devoted to ‘Greek hydropower today’ and will provide a comprehensive overview of the power sector of the country, showcasing the present developments (current and planned) for dam upgrades, hydropower, pumped-storage projects, and hybrid renewable energy schemes. This will clearly demonstrate a ‘new era’ of activity in dam engineering and renewable energy development in the country.

Thessaloniki as host city

Thessaloniki is Greece’s second largest city, and is easily accessible from numerous European cities, including the main hubs for international travel from other continents. It combines all the best features of a modern and elegant European city, with a thriving economic and commercial centre, museums and galleries, as well as fine examples of Byzantine architecture, historic relics from different eras, monuments, galleries, and a World Heritage Site in the centre.

National Geographic Magazine has included the city in its top tourist destinations worldwide, and the Financial Times has declared it as the ‘best mid-sized European city of the future for human capital and lifestyle’. The spacious Helexpo Conference and Exhibition Centre will be an ideal venue for the conference; there are world class hotels in all categories nearby.

Accommodation

Hotel rooms have been blocked for HYDRO 2025 delegates in a range of hotels to suit all budgets. All are within reasonable distance of the Helexpo Congress Centre, and of the seafront, as well as the elegant city centre.

The largest hotel where chairpersons and many speakers and delegates will stay is the Makedonia Palace; other options are the Holiday Inn, the MonAsty, the Onoma and the Met hotels. Many are close to the sea.