PPC making progress with Mesochora hydropower, irrigation project

The environmental impact study for the 161.6 MW Mesochora hydropower plant in Greece is finished and the expropriation procedure is advancing rapidly, according to a news report.

The construction of the Mesochora dam in the Trikala region in the central part of Greece began 36 years ago, with a plan to divert the Acheloos (Achelous) river and build an irrigation system, which dates back to 1920.

The structure was almost finished in 2001, when the project was essentially suspended. The Council of State, the country’s supreme administrative court blocked it several times and there were also issues with the European Union.

Environmentalists and the affected communities have warned the reservoir, the diversion of the Achelous and the planned irrigation system would dry up the protected Messolonghi lagoon in the river’s delta. Locals also refused to relocate under the proposed terms.

PPC said it would need to invest EUR 81.4 million to finish the Mesochora project

Public Power Corp. (PPC or DEI) said in its last financial report that it has invested EUR 282 million so far. The government declared Mesochora a priority late last year. The environmental impact study for the hydropower project is now finished, Ot.gr reported without identifying sources and said it learned that the expropriation procedure for the diversion of the river is making rapid progress.

Overall works are valued at EUR 500 million in total since planning began, the article adds.

PPC estimated in early September that it can push forward the estimated start of operation by one year to the last quarter of 2025. The power utility said it would need to invest EUR 81.4 million more including the costs of relocating the people from the affected area.