The new Natural Gas Compression Station of DESFA, located in the industrial area of Komotini, was inaugurated on Tuesday by Deputy Environment and Energy Minister Nikolaos Tsafos and the CEO of DESFA, Maria Rita Galli.
The investment amounts to 134 million euros and is the first Compression Station in Greece to operate using electric power, ensuring zero emissions, low maintenance costs, and high precision and operational control.
Through the process of natural gas compression, higher transmission speeds are achieved within the domestic and international distribution networks.
“ We are here at a natural gas crossroads - we have flows coming from the east (from Azerbaijan), flows from the Alexandroupolis FSRU, which can transport gas from all over the world; we have a pipeline running toward Bulgaria - and from Bulgaria the gas can reach Romania, Moldova, Ukraine, Serbia, Hungary, the entire region of Southeastern Europe. And we also have our own power generation units - the new one here in Komotini and the one under construction in Alexandroupolis. These units provide energy security for the country and flexibility not only for Greece but for the entire Southeastern European market,” stated Deputy Minister of Environment and Energy Nikolaos Tsafos in his speech.
He noted that in recent years Greece has undergone a major transformation in the natural gas sector. He added that, with Europe’s decision to cut the remaining natural gas imports from Russia, a major opportunity arises for Greece “ to fill this gap through our own facilities ... and thus the strategic role Greece has played so far will become even more important in the future.”

DESFA CEO Maria Rita Galli: "The Station embodies our values - collaboration, innovation, and sustainability"

“ This innovative facility wasn’t even on paper in 2022, when the energy crisis began with the war in Ukraine. That moment tested us all, but it also brought us together - with the operators of neighbouring countries and all our partners. We sat at the table, often in intense discussions, on how to shape the infrastructure that would enhance Greece’s ability to transport energy from new sources to Europe,” emphasised DESFA CEO Maria Rita Galli.
She highlighted that the new Compression Station in Komotini was completed in less than three years and without any accidents.
“ This station is the ‘beating heart’ of Northeastern Greece, enabling the natural gas entering the country to reach all of Greece and its neighbouring countries,” she said, adding that Greece will be able to export up to 8.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas to Bulgaria.
“ The Compression Station embodies our values - collaboration, innovation, and sustainability,” she concluded.