HEDNO
Member: Silver
Since: 30.04.2013
Since: 30.04.2013
Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator S.A.
20, Perraivou & 5, Kallirrois Street, GR-117 43 Athens, Greece
Speech by HEDNO CEO, Mr. Stefanos Oktapodas
11.04.2019
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Good evening, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would like to warmly thank you for the invitation and the
opportunity to participate in today’s forum held by the
team of prestigious journalists of energypress.
The energy market, as you know, is at its most critical,
transitional period as the high environmental goals set by
the European Union that are adopted by all member
states, including our country, create many new
challenges.
These challenges are mainly related to the development of
Renewable Energy Sources (RES) and dispersed
generation but also to the strengthening of the role of the
citizen as an active consumer and producer; the result, as
a consequence, shall be the improvement of efficiency and
energy saving.
I will try very briefly to explain why the role of
HEDNO in this complex environment is decisive and
potentially a catalyst for our transition to the zerocarbon economy.
HEDNO, being the sole responsible Operator of the
Electrical Energy Distribution Network across both
mainland Greece and its islands, has fully complied with
this new landscape.
Its key objective is its transformation into a modern
operator of technologically advanced networks and its
strategic investments aim at upgrading the critical energy
infrastructures of our country. The completion of its
digital works is necessary for the transformation of
the domestic energy market.
The benefits expected from their implementation, along of
course with the Company's consistent objectives, are of
crucial importance and pertain to the improvement of
the quality of energy and the services provided to
the citizens. These benefits will be accompanied by
reduction of the costs of operation and will result in
more efficient operation of the energy market and
the protection of the environment effectuated by
welcoming the increased penetration of the
Renewable Energy Sources (RES).
HEDNO and the infrastructures it manages are,
therefore, the key to maximize the benefits for the
citizen, the environment and economy.
Furthermore, HEDNO will be able to develop new services
and products through its modernization and with the use
of new technologies, resulting in creating new sources
of revenues. Combined with the reduction of the
operational cost achieved by applying new
innovative tools and systems in the company's
internal functions, the result will be the clearly
improved services at a lower cost for the final customer.
Its strategic projects, including innovative systems and
new information and telecommunication technologies, will
usher the Network across the mainland and on the
islands to a new era with modern services and
automated procedures.
HEDNO is steadily transforming into a High-tech Company
through some of the above strategic projects. I will
indicatively mention some of them:
New Ermis, GIS, SCADA
The new User Service Information System (new Ermis)
relates to the modernization of the Customers' Service
System by installing the appropriate modern information
system and the reorganization of the related structures,
procedures and work methods. The benefits from the
completion of this project is the more qualitative and
faster handling of the customers’ requests and, generally,
the modernization of the services provided by HEDNO for
all customers, including electricity producers and
suppliers.
Installation of a Geographic Information System
(GIS)
The project concerns the digital recording of the Network
positions using geographic coordinates and their entry in
the Geographic Information System.
The benefits are huge for the daily operation of HEDNO,
as GIS will upgrade main operations i.e. gathering,
updating and processing of all geographic and descriptive
data of the Network and at the same time it will improve
the monitoring of the works and shall upgrade, in general,
all technical activities of the Company in the Network.
Expansion of SCADA systems
Another equally critical project, demonstrating our digital
upgrading, is the expansion of the SCADA (Supervisory
Control and Data Acquisition) systems, which will allow us
to improve the reliability of the Network operation system,
and, therefore, improve the quality indexes, and gradually
go towards the standardization of all remote systems.
Smart Meters
The smart meter project is also a project of national
importance for HEDNO. Great attention has been given to
the strategic planning for the roll-out of smart meters
across Greece (for the 7.5 million consumers we service
today).
It is a critical project, because it shall decisively upgrade
the services we provide for our customers, through the
functional benefits offered by Remote Measuring. Our
customers will be informed in real time and will be able to
rationalize their consumption. Furthermore it enables
further opening of the electricity supply market, it creates
new business opportunities, it upgrades the Network
operation and it will drastically limit the phenomenon of
electricity thefts.
Smart Islands
Energy developments on the islands are currently along
three pillars. The first pillar that directly concerns HEDNO
is the Smart Islands, as defined by article 151, Law
4495/2017.
As you may know, the islands of Astypalaia, Symi and
Megisti (Kastelorizo) have been chosen for the RES hybrid
projects that shall lead to the maximization of the
penetration of Renewable Energy Sources, more than
60%, achieving thus the smooth operation and electricity
sufficiency for the islands and simultaneous cost decrease,
via the economical operation of their systems.
HEDNO submitted RAE its relevant recommendations for
these three smart islands in May 2018, and now is waiting
for its opinion, which shall be submitted to the Ministry of
Energy for the necessary ministerial decisions and the
preparation of the tenders for these projects by the
Regulatory Authority.
Through its strategic planning, HEDNO will develop and
modernize all of its operations in order to be able to
handle the increasing challenges that are coming in the
future and the more complex role that the Company is
required to play. Both national and EU energy legislations
should adjust in a way that would grant the maximum
amount of flexibility to Operators, in order to enable them
to perform their independent role in the electricity supply
market.
Ladies and Gentlemen
The transition of our networks to the digital era is
necessary and has already started.
This transition is one-way street to allow the national
energy planning that includes ambitious objectives to be
implemented fast and effectively.
HEDNO, in cooperation with the Ministry and RAE, actively
helps the transformation of the market, leading its
modernization through the development of smart
networks and smart islands, the development of electric
vehicles and the creation of energy communities.
Thank you very much.