NANKO Energy participated as a sponsor and speaker at the three-day sustainability seminar “Kalamas River, Through Time and Place,” aimed at preserving the ecosystem around Kalamas River, where Gitani Small Hydroelectric Power Plant (SHPP), one of the company’s projects, is located. The event was an initiative of the Regional Directorate of Primary and Secondary Education of Epirus and the Environmental Education Center of Filiates – Thesprotia, under the auspices of the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs and took place from 01/03 to 03/03/24.
During the seminar, participants had the opportunity to learn about state and local initiatives for the protection of the local ecosystem and the available methods for assessing the ecological status of rivers. They were also informed about the development of available technologies for hydroelectric power generation and visited the Kalamas Dam and Gitani SHPP. The event included hiking in the Kalamas River area, visits to the archaeological site of Gitana, and excursions to the traditional villages of Liopsi and Old Sagiada.
NANKO Contributes to Achieving the EU’s “Climate Neutrality by 2050” Goals
Kosmas Kassimis, a Mechanical Engineer and valuable member of the NANKO team, presented the key features of the Circular Economy and the contribution of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) to achieving it, as well as to the sustainable development of our country. He also spoke about the smart systems that can contribute to the faster achievement of the European Union’s goals of “Climate Neutrality by 2050” (Net Zero by 2050). He focused on the small environmental footprint of the Gitani SHPP in Kalamas River area, debunking myths about the environmental impacts of the construction and operation of Small Hydroelectric Projects. Finally, he mentioned the benefits of Gitani SHPP to the local community, including increased revenue and job creation specifically for local residents.
Greece is Making Strides in Adopting RES and Replacing Traditional Energy Sources with Clean Energy Sources
According to the Minister of Environment and Energy, Mr. Thodoros Skylakakis, “in the last decade, energy production from RES has increased by 147%, and 2023 was a record year for the production of clean electrical energy in Greece.”
NANKO strengthens the country’s shift towards clean energy sources with many years of experience in the field, offering comprehensive services in design, construction, operation, and maintenance, and a rich portfolio of RES projects. Prioritizing environmental protection, NANKO chooses the least invasive methods for carrying out its projects and restores the natural ecosystem near its projects immediately after their completion, following the most advanced technologies for preventing and restoring any intervention in flora and fauna.
About the Project
GITANI SHPP
Gitani Small Hydroelectric Project (SHPP), with a capacity of 4.2 MW, operates on Kalamas River at the Gitani location within the Ragiou Municipal District in the administrative boundaries of the Filiates Municipality of the Regional Unit of Thesprotia. It has been in operation since 2006, in combination with the irrigation dam constructed in 1962 (Kalamas or Ragiou Dam), utilizing the increase in the river level caused by the dam. The water, after passing through the power generation unit, returns to the riverbed via the escape canal, without altering the natural flow and mass of the river. At the same time, the aquatic fauna is preserved with the use of special mechanisms, and the balance of the natural environment is protected.
NANKO ENERGY: Expertise and Know-How
NANKO Energy, founded in November 1999, is a pioneering Greek company in green energy, with significant expertise in the field of small hydroelectric projects. It is a major investor in Renewable Energy Sources (RES) in Greece and continues to develop dynamically, with a successful portfolio of 12.71 MW in operation and an additional 47.70 MW in the licensing phase. NANKO Energy guarantees the services it offers in terms of study, licensing, operation, and maintenance, with a specially trained staff with 25 years of experience, know-how, and understanding of the complexity of designing, constructing, and maintaining RES projects.
