Major irrigation project in İskeçe launched: €220 million contract signed
The third and largest public-private partnership (PPP) project under the “Hydor 2.0” program has been signed, aiming to address the severe irrigation and salinity problems in İskeçe’s eastern plain.
The €220.5 million project, co-financed with €51 million from the Recovery and Resilience Facility, will be implemented by GEK TERNA S.A. It will transfer and distribute water from the Karasu (Nestos) River (Okçular [Toxotes] Dam) to irrigate approximately 56,000 hectares.
According to the Ministries of Rural Development & Food and National Economy & Finance, the contract covers the design, construction, financing, maintenance, and operation of the infrastructure over a 25-year period, including the construction phase.
Key Components of the Project:
Main water transfer works: Upgrades to the Okçular intake facilities, repair of the existing eastern supply canal, construction of a new trapezoidal-section transfer canal, two pumping stations, and two balancing reservoirs.
Distribution network for Zone A2: Central pipelines, five pumping stations, seven balancing reservoirs, and irrigation networks for the areas of Kalfalar (Myrodato), Bulustra (Avdira), İnelli (Veloni), Mandra, and Karapazar (Pezoula).
Smart irrigation systems: Telemetry and remote-control systems, wireless monitoring devices, meteorological stations, and water quality measurement systems.
The first phase – the main water transfer works – is scheduled to be completed and operational within 18 months. The entire project will be delivered within 36 months from the contract signing.
Officials highlight that the project will boost the competitiveness of the agricultural sector and mitigate climate change impacts in one of Greece’s most water-stressed agricultural regions.
