TAP delivers €1 million investment project to agricultural communities in Evros
Τhe Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) AG delivered in Evros its biggest WORKS OF INSPIRATION | Development of Local Infrastructure project to date: a €1 million upgrade of 1.6km of irrigation network in Peplos-Kipoi. For its implementation, TAP collaborated with the Alexandroupolis Municipality and the Local Organisation for Irrigation Improvement (TOEV), which operates and manages the network. The project is part of the wider Social and Environmental Investment (SEI) programme that TAP is implementing in Greece.
The irrigation network serves the agricultural communities of Peplos and Kipoi, was built 20 years ago and had sustained damages in various sections. The aging irrigation system no longer met the needs of the area’s 1,200 residents whose primary source of income is local farming and agriculture.
During the implementation of the project, the team was challenged by difficult circumstances, such as the high water table, demanding climate conditions and the stricter regulations imposed to worksites to contain the spread of COVID-19. Despite the challenges, however, the implementation team concluded and delivered the project on time.
Implementation began with TAP’s contractor conducting a feasibility study in 2018, which was assessed and approved by both the Municipality and the TOEV. The first test excavations were carried out in June 2019 and shortly after the crews started work. They replaced part of the main header of the network and its connections to the secondary existing networks, using materials of high quality and standards, as well as modern installation methods – such as Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD).
Commenting on the upgrade of the irrigation network, Yannis Zamboukis, Mayor of Alexandroupolis, noted that after seven months of operations the results are measurable, and that the upgrade of the Peplos-Kipoi irrigation network has significantly addressed the needs of local farmers.
Vasileios Pantelidis, President of the Ferres-Peplos Local Organisation for Irrigation Improvement, added that thanks to the upgrade, the water pressure has increased, to the benefit of farmers during the irrigation period, and electricity consumption at the pumping station has been reduced by 40%.
Vassiliki Sotiropoulou, SEI Manager for TAP Greece thanked the Municipality of Alexandroupolis and TOEV for their collaboration and the implementation team for a great effort and stressed the significance of the project, as it actively supports local residents.
