Greece's first privately-owned power plant started operation on Saturday in Echedoros, Thessaloniki.

The 390MW power plant, which produces electricity with the use of natural gas, is located in the Hellenic Petroleum (ELPE) industrial complex in Echedoros municipality, Thessaloniki, and is the first private investment in electricity production in Greece following the deregulation of the electricity and natural gas market.

The 250 million euros plant, built by ELPE subsidiary 'Energiaki Thessalonikis S.A.', is considered one of the most important investments in the energy sector.

Its operation is expected to contribute to rendering Thessaloniki an energy hub for SE Europe, and the region's linking with the trans-European energy networks.

On Friday, energy minister Dimitris Sioufas hailed the opening of the plant as "a historic moment for the Greek energy market", adding in reply to press questions that "the new plant provides new possibilities and prospects for the safety and stability of the system".

The deregulation of the electricity and natural gas markets according to rules will create a new reality that will bring new investments, increase employment and provide businesses, industry and domestic consumers with alternative options when choosing their supplier of power, Sioufas said, stressing that this was a major conquest.

Source: Athens News Agency

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