PPC TRANSMISSION & DISTRIBUTION V

The project consists of a 4-year investment programme (2008-2011) aimed at reinforcing and extending the promoter’s transmission and distribution electricity networks throughout Greece.

The project will promote the development of the transmission and distribution electricity networks in Greece. The project will enable the promoter to cater for demand growth, to improve the quality and the reliability of supply and to support the connection and the efficient exploitation of traditional and renewable generation resources.

Some schemes of the project involving long 400 kV overhead lines will fall under Annex I of the EIA Directive 85/337/EEC, as amended, while the remainder will fall under ANNEX II, leaving it to the national competent authority to decide whether an EIA would be required in line with the screening criteria specified in the directive. However, many project schemes are expected to be distribution reinforcements that will not require formal EIAs and will have minimal or no environmental impact.

The impacts that can be typically expected for the project schemes relate to visual impact, vegetation clearance, electromagnetic fields, noise nuisance, and disturbance during construction. The EIA screening criteria applied by the national competent authority in Greece and the provisions for biodiversity assessment of projects will be investigated during appraisal.

EIB will require the promoter to ensure that contracts for the implementation of the project have been/shall be tendered in accordance with the relevant applicable EU procurement legislation, including publication of tender notices in the Official Journal of the EU as and where appropriate.