The European Investment Bank (EIB), with the support of the InvestEU Advisory Hub, will provide advisory support to the Thessaloniki Water Supply and Sewerage Company (EYATH S.A.) for the preparation of a long-term investment program.
The aim is to strengthen the sustainability, resilience and efficiency of water supply, sewerage and wastewater management infrastructure in the wider Thessaloniki area, within the framework of the European Commission’s Mission for Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities.
As stated in a relevant announcement, EYATH provides water supply, sewerage and wastewater treatment services to approximately 1.3 million people in the wider Thessaloniki area. Ensuring the reliability, efficiency and resilience of these essential services is becoming increasingly important, as cities face the growing pressures of climate change, rising demand and the need for more effective use of water and energy resources.
Through EIB Advisory Support, EYATH will receive technical support for the assessment of its existing infrastructure and future investment needs, as well as for the preparation of a prioritized investment program with a short-term, medium-term and long-term horizon.
The program will identify potential investments for the modernization and upgrading of water supply and sewerage networks, the reduction of water losses, the improvement of energy efficiency and digital monitoring of infrastructure, as well as the strengthening of wastewater treatment, water reuse and circular economy solutions.
The advisory support will also help EYATH examine possible financing options and prepare priority projects for further evaluation. The support will cover, among other things, the relevant EIB appraisal procedures and the preparation of the necessary information for examining the feasibility and financing potential of future investments.
The initiative is part of the broader effort for Thessaloniki’s transition to a more sustainable, climate-neutral and resilient city. Thessaloniki is among the European Union cities participating in the European Commission’s Mission for Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities, while the EIB is already supporting the city’s broader investment program through financing for sustainable urban development and the strengthening of climate resilience.
In this context, investments in water supply, sewerage and wastewater management infrastructure can play an important role in strengthening resilience to climate change, in the more efficient use of water and energy, in reducing water losses and in promoting circular economy solutions.
The EIB will work closely with EYATH, the Municipalities in Thessaloniki and Halkidiki and the other competent bodies, with the aim of effective investment planning and the proper preparation of projects. The cooperation will contribute to shaping a clear investment plan and strengthening the long-term sustainability and resilience of water supply and sewerage services for the residents of Thessaloniki and Halkidiki.
“Access to safe and quality water services is fundamental to the resilience and sustainable development of our cities. Today, more than ever, the impacts of climate change make strategic investments in water supply and sewerage infrastructure necessary. Through our cooperation with EYATH, we are contributing to the preparation of projects that will strengthen the security of water resources, improve the services provided and shield Thessaloniki against the challenges of the future,” said EIB Vice-President, Yannis Tsakiris.
“The climate crisis is here. Just last month, Europe witnessed unprecedented scenes, with the water levels of major rivers such as the Danube and the Rhine falling. Our country ranks 19th globally in terms of water scarcity risk. The challenges are such that inaction is not a solution. That is why we are joining forces. We are putting an end to fragmentation and piecemeal approaches. In July we signed an agreement with the European Investment Bank and EYDAP. Today, EYATH is also moving forward in cooperation with the EIB, in order to make use of European expertise. Our infrastructure for water supply, sewerage, wastewater treatment, circular economy, directly affects citizens’ quality of life. That is why we proceeded with a bold institutional reform for water. We created the first National Water Strategy. We are implementing projects worth 3.4 billion euros in half of the country’s municipalities. And, most importantly: we are cooperating. I warmly thank EYATH and the EIB for their agreement, because only together are we building for our children a sustainable, resilient future, with access to sufficient, quality water for all,” said the Minister of Environment and Energy, Stavros Papastavrou.
“The cooperation of EYATH with the European Investment Bank, through the InvestEU Advisory Hub, is a crucial step for the adoption of a comprehensive long-term water strategy for Thessaloniki and the wider area. The recent reform in the water map in Greece, under which EYATH assumes a central role with the integration of 25 water supply and irrigation providers in Thessaloniki and Halkidiki, creates the need for a new architecture for water resource management, which also requires documented investment planning, clear priorities and effective use of the available financing tools. And it is precisely here that the EIB’s expertise can prove decisive, so that we can plan the next step with greater confidence: a modern, resilient and economically sustainable water supply and sewerage system, which will be able to fully meet the needs of Thessaloniki and the wider area for the coming decades,” said the CEO of EYATH S.A., Anthimos Amanatidis.
The role of the EIB in supporting a climate-neutral Europe
As the EU Climate Bank, the European Investment Bank plays a central role in financing and providing advisory support for projects that contribute to achieving the objectives of the European Green Deal, including the Mission for Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities.
In this context, the EIB has made available a financing facility of 2 billion euros for cities that have received the Mission Label, while at the same time providing specialized advisory support for the preparation and implementation of projects included in their investment plans. In this way, it contributes to accelerating investments that strengthen the sustainability, energy efficiency and resilience of European cities.