BUSINESS: 476 PRACTICES
Founded in 1998, HELLENiQ ENERGY (https://www.helleniqenergy.gr/en) is one of the leading energy groups in South East Europe, with presence in 6 countries and activities spanning across the energy value chain, namely: oil refining and fuel marketing, exploration and production, renewable energy sources, petrochemicals, power and gas.
The ELPE Group undertook to carry out a series of anti-corrosion interventions in fire-affected areas. The specific anti-corrosion protection projects (log dams, trellises) will reduce flooding phenomena by inactivating soil erosion mechanisms and will thus allow the natural regeneration of the forest. Protecting forest ecosystems will rebuild fire-affected areas and maximize their resilience to the effects of climate change.
The restoration of damaged ecosystems is a matter of major importance and aims to restore the forest ecosystem and improve the productive capacity of the soil,
The ELPE Group contributes practically to dealing with the effects of climate change and to the consolidation of a new culture with strong environmental awareness.
Anti-corrosion works in both areas started in January 2022 and lasted for 3 months.
The works in the Varymombis National Park were completed and handed over on April 1, 2022, while the works in the Shinos of Corinthia will be completed in the near future.
The ELPE Group, responding to the call of the state and the needs of society, directly contributed to the rapid restoration of two very important green lungs for Attica, after the disastrous fires of last summer.
With a budget sponsorship of 3 million euros, which was made through the innovative institution of the "Restoration and Reforestation Contractor" of the Ministry of the Interior, the critical anti-erosion projects were implemented in the area of the national park of Varibompi, as well as in the Schinos of Corinthia, within the NATURA 2000 area in Gerania Mountains.
The anti-corrosion works were implemented in areas of 3,197.40 acres in Varibompi and 17,214 acres in Shinos of Corinthia.
The projects were implemented in collaboration with the Directorates of Forests of Attica and Corinth, which prepared the studies, while the materials used for the required constructions come exclusively from the burned trees of the area and are 100% ecological.
Special crews, consisting of experienced professionals and scientists, were involved in their completion, while an average of 75 people were in the field every day for 3 months, recording over 30,000 working hours. In addition, the Group's subsidiary, ASPROFOS TECHNICAL COMPANY S.A., with its specialized staff, undertook the overall supervision of the project, as well as significantly contributing to its timely delivery.
The anti-erosion projects were implemented with the aim of retaining valuable forest soils, preventing erosion and limiting the fall of transported materials, in order to enhance and assist the natural regeneration of the forest and to protect the areas, as far as possible, from intense flood phenomena.
On Friday, April 1, 2022, the anti-corrosion works in the area of Varybompi, Attica, were officially handed over by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of ELPE Group, Mr. Yannis Papathanasiou, to the competent Minister of Environment and Energy, Mr. Kostas Skrekas.
During the handover of the anti-corrosion works in the area of Varybompi, the Minister of Environment and Energy, Mr. Kostas Skrekas said:
"Today I had the opportunity to see up close the anti-corrosion works that have been completed in Varibompi. After the devastating fires of last summer, we are making a huge national effort, which is bringing results, for the immediate reconstruction of the fire-affected areas. Hellenic Petroleum, with a high sense of social responsibility, embraced from the first moment the innovative institution of the "Restoration and Reforestation Contractor", offering 3 million euros for the implementation of anti-corrosion projects in Varibompi and Shinos in Corinthia. The government is responding with a plan and determination to the urgent need to adapt forest ecosystems to the effects of the climate crisis and to regenerate and protect our natural wealth. We are exhausting every possibility in order to preserve our forests, which are our natural heritage and to hand them over to future generations."
For his part, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the HELLENIC PETROLEUM Group, Mr. Yiannis Papathanasiou, noted:
"Over time, Hellenic Petroleum Group has responded sensitively to the needs of the communities in which it operates. Following the summer's devastating wildfires and true to our commitment to help stem the effects of the climate crisis, we implemented these critical anti-erosion projects to accelerate the natural regeneration of burnt woodland. The ELPE Group will always be present where there is a real need, supporting the Greek society and economy in practice. And that's not a promise. We consider it our moral responsibility and duty to contribute to the sustainable future of our country."
20,411.40 total acres of anti-corrosion works in two important green lungs of Attica, the National Park of Varymbopis and the Shinos of Corinth within the NATURA 2000 area in the Geraneia Mountains.
Specifically, the anti-corrosion projects, within the National Forest in Varybompi, Attica, include:
• 233,486 running meters of logs, with the placement and fixing of logs along the geodetic curves, according to the relief of the ground on the slopes of the watersheds.
• 20,913 running meters of trellis, with the gathering, positioning, compaction and fixing of the branches on the slopes of the river basins.
• 1,503 square meters of log dams, with the construction and installation of wooden log dams, within the beds of secondary and tertiary streams, which contribute to large streams, to contain the carried materials.
Investment Resources:
This investment is one of the largest investments for anti-corrosion projects in the areas affected by the 2021 fires.
The participation of the employees of the Group and its subsidiary, ASPROFOS SA, in dealing with this emergency, was decisive. The employees who participated in this important project responded immediately and efficiently, understanding their role in an organization with a sense of responsibility towards Society.
The benefits created for the country and its ecosystem are significant when the State, society and businesses join forces. The ELPE Group attaches particular importance to the protection of the environment, to dealing with the causes and effects of climate change, and, where possible, develops actions to protect and promote the natural environment and ecosystems, as a priority and a key pillar of its strategy for sustainable development.
The ELPE Group is always present where there is a real need, supporting the Greek society and economy in practice. The restoration of the natural wealth of the fire-affected areas is of the utmost importance for the affected areas as well as for the wider society. Ecological disasters and dealing with the climate threat are something that concerns us all.
