The long-awaited PPP project for Corfu‘s water supply is entering the final stretch. The project, with a budget of 181.2 million euros, will provide a solution to the acute water supply problem of the island, which is currently being unertaken by 149 boreholes, many of which with water of not high quality. The tender, which in addition to construction also includes operation and maintenance, got the green light from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport.
The inclusion of the project in the PPP regime proceeded last September, when the participation of the State in the financing of its construction was approved to the maximum amount of 60 million euros, through the Recovery Fund. The project is part of the “2021-2025 Infrastructure and Transport Sectoral Development Program”, with a budget of 181,226,000 euros.
By decision of the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Mr. Costas Karamanlis, the international tender with the competitive dialogue process and the call for interest issue for Phase A of the tender were approved. Also, the project entitled “Corfu Island Water Supply through PPP” was characterized as a National Level, Special and Important project. It is typical that this project was designated for the first time as a project of National Importance in 1998!
The acute problem of Corfu is being addressed
With the construction of the envisaged projects, the appropriate storage, treatment and management of the available water resources (surface and underground) will be achieved. This will ensure the island’s water supply, which is particularly burdened in the summer months, with guaranteed quality and a sufficient quantity of water.
The yield is expected to be 16.3 million m3 annually of good quality drinking water. This amount exceeds the needs for the reference year 2040, which are determined at 15.4 million m3, while there will be 3 million m3 available from “good and moderate” wells or boreholes.
The project will contribute to the upgrading of the chemical composition of the underground water systems, which have undergone salinity penetration due to over-pumping. Furthermore, it will improve the island’s potential for the production of clean electricity, contributing positively to the country’s RES balance, ensuring the energy autonomy of the facilities and possibly contributing to the energy autonomy of the island in general.
The project has approved environmental conditions, valid until 2025, both for the construction and operation of the Melissoudi and Kalamiotissa dams, as well as the other water supply projects on the island of Corfu. Also, the water desalination-softening installation of Chrysiida, has received a Decision on the Approval of Environmental Terms.
The object of the project
The proposed Public-Private partnership concerns the construction, financing, maintenance and operation of the “Corfu Island Water Supply through PPP” project. The object includes the construction, operation and maintenance of the Melissoudi dams, the Kyprianades and Kalamiotissa diversions, with the works of bringing water from the dams to the water main for the distribution works and the other accompanying technical works. Also, the construction, operation and maintenance of the Water Treatment Plants (WTP) of Melissoudi and Kalamiotissa.
External networks will also be constructed, with a total length of about 220 km, four reservoirs (Choropiskopon, Troumbetas, Strogylis, Nea Dexameni Meliteion), four pumping stations (Melissoudi A and D, Latomion, Kalamiotissa) and four booster pumping stations, together with their operation and maintenance.
The contractor will also undertake the operation and maintenance of the Chrysiida Water Softening Plant, the Potamos reservoir, the B-PO River pumping station and 3 borehole pumping stations (Chrysiidas, Rartourou, Zougra). Furthermore, a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system will be installed for the control and remote management of the project and relevant road construction projects and electromechanical installations will be implemented.
The Private Partnership Body will undertake to prepare the necessary studies for the construction of the project, the construction works, the financing of the project in combination with the financial contribution of the State and the operation and maintenance.
Latest News
BoG Figures Confirm Banner Year for Greek Tourism in 2023
20.6 billion euros in related revenues topped the previous year’s figure by 16.5%
Piraeus Bank to Propose First Dividend in 16 Years
Piraeus Bank has forecast profits of roughly 900 million euros this year, rising to one billion euros next year
Eurostat: Inflation in Greece Eases to 3.2% in April; 2.4% in Eurozone
The rate of increase for food prices was up by 4.9% in April 2024, compared to 4.8% in the previous month
ELSTAT Feb. Retail Turnover Drops by 3.8%, Sales Volume Plummets by 9.8%
Additionally, the seasonally adjusted General Volume Index for Feb. 2024 experienced a 3.8% decrease compared to the previous month of the same year
Greek Buyers Lead Return to Vacation Home Market
In the last six months, Greeks have made a surge into the vacation home market, notably without relying on loans
NBG Receives BBB Investment Grade by DBRS
This makes NBG the first Greek bank to regain Investment grade status, nearly 15 years after the onset of the Greek financial crisis
Greek Gov. Budget: Primary Surplus 3bln in Q1 2024
Value Added Tax (VAT) revenues reached 5.876 billion euros, down by 16 million euros compared to the target
Athens’ Public Transport System Gets Green “Facelift”
The future of urban transport in Greece's capital city includes electrification, hydrogen, kinetic energy and even heighted security and monitoring through the use of drones
Athens Int’l Airport: 16.2% EBITDA Increase and 16.5% Passenger Growth in Q1 2024
Following the strong performance in the first quarter, the company revised its annual passenger traffic forecast for 2024 to 29.9 million passengers, a 6.3% increase (or roughly 1.8 million passengers) from 2023 levels.
Oxford Economics Report: Greek Economy is Just Below Risk Zone
However, the report points to a persistent challenge in the form of commercial credit risk, which remains high at 8 out of 10, ranking Greece 104th internationally