Greece continues to invest in infrastructure projects via PPP – Here are the Top-15 projects currently in the pipeline

In recent years, projects in the form of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) have multiplied, and large PPP tenders are ongoing for many different types of infrastructure. These projects are adding substantial value to the country’s construction industry, especially at a time when the construction sector appears to be booming.

Like all methods of implementing infrastructure projects, PPP projects have significant advantages as well as disadvantages. On the positive side, these projects can secure the realization of infrastructure that cannot easily attract funding from the EU Structural Funds, and the contract amount is not recorded as public debt. On the other hand, the accumulation of PPP projects creates new payment obligations (mainly availability payments) over the long term.

What can be said about Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects is that they have changed the dynamics of construction and have certainly influenced how a project can ultimately be implemented through the collaboration of the State and the Market. Today, we will attempt to take a look and see which are the 15 largest PPP tenders currently underway in the country.

New Aspropyrgos Prisons – €765 million

The scope of the Partnership Agreement includes the financing, design, construction, equipment supply, maintenance, and technical management of the facilities that will house the Athens Judicial Correctional Complex and the Court Transfer Directorate of Attica. The intervention area is located within the administrative boundaries of the Municipality of Aspropyrgos in the Regional Unit of Western Attica, in the Region of Attica. This area, known as Thriassio, is bordered by the Poikilo, Aigaleo, Parnitha, and Pateras mountains and the Bay of Eleusis. The project will be situated on a 100-acre property, on the site of the former “American Ease” military camp.

The duration of the contract for the major PPP project involving the relocation of Korydallos Prison is estimated to be 360 months, with the first 3-4 years dedicated to the construction phase of the project. Companies participating in the tender include AVAX, AKTOR Concessions, GEK TERNA, and Mytilineos. The contracting authority is the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (HRADF).

Thessaloniki-Edessa – €444.9 million

The contracting authority is the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport. Expressions of interest began on December 5, with participation from GEK TERNA, AKTOR Concessions, Mytilineos, AVAX, and Intrakat. The project involves the upgrade of the axis that includes the Chalkidona bypass. The contract duration is 360 months.

Double Dam of Tavronitis – €267.09 million

The contracting authority is the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport. The tender started on November 30, 2022. The contract duration is 360 months. Companies that expressed interest include AKTOR Concessions, GEK TERNA, and Mytilineos. The Double Dam project on the Tavronitis River will involve the utilization of water resources. Specifically, the scope of the partnership contract includes the construction of the following infrastructures:

The Deryanou Dam (at Papadianon location) on the Deryanou tributary of the Tavronitis River and the accompanying technical works,
The Sempronioti Dam on the Sempronioti tributary of the Tavronitis River and the accompanying technical works, among others.

Student Residences of the University of Crete – €255 million

The contracting authority is the University of Crete. The tender started on February 24, 2020. The contractor selected is Intrakat. The contract duration is 360 months. The scope of the partnership contract includes the modernization of existing facilities and the construction of new building complexes in the two university campuses, in Rethymno and Heraklion. The project is expected to be completed within 2024.

New Athens Court of First Instance – €254.4 million

The contracting authority is the Ministry of Justice. The tender started on January 31, 2023. Participants included: GEK TERNA, AKTOR Concessions, Mytilineos, AVAX, and Intrakat-TEKAL. The contract duration is 300 months. The scope of the Partnership Agreement is the financing, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the building facilities to house the Court of First Instance and the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Athens for a maximum period of twenty-five (25) years.

Drama-Amphipolis – €248.5 million

The contracting authority is the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport. The expression of interest started on December 5 with participation from GEK TERNA, AKTOR Concessions, Mytilineos, AVAX, and Intrakat. It includes the construction of the sections Palaiokomi – Mavrolefki, with a length of approximately 29.5 km, and Mavrolefki – Drama, with a length of approximately 13.5 km. The contract also includes the operation, maintenance, and financing of the main road axis Drama – Amphipolis, with a total length of approximately 43 km. The contract duration is 360 months.

Water Supply for the Island of Corfu – €255.6 million

The contracting authority is the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport. The tender started on February 28, 2024. The duration of the contract is 360 months. Participating in the expression of interest were GEK TERNA, AKTOR PARACHORISEIS, and MYTILENAIOS. The project includes complex works such as the construction, operation, and maintenance of the Melissoudi, Kyprionades diversion, and Kalamiotissa dams, with water diversion works from the dams to the head of the distribution works and other related technical works.

Enipeas Dam in Trikala – €230 million

The contracting authority is the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport. The tender started on December 5, 2022. The duration of the contract is 360 months. AKTOR PARACHORISEIS, GEK TERNA, and INTRAKAT expressed interest. The contractor will carry out the study, construction, financing, operation, and maintenance of the Enipeas River Dam in Farsala (at the location of Palioderli), Water Distribution Networks, and other related Works.

Transport-Distribution of Nestos Water in the Xanthi Plain with a cost of 210 million euros.

The contracting authority is the Ministry of Rural Development. The tender is on the verge of commencement. The duration of the contract is 300 months. It involves, on the one hand, the construction of the main works for the transport and distribution of water from the Nestos River to the Eastern plain of Xanthi to serve its irrigation needs. On the other hand, the project involves the construction of transport and distribution works for area A2, which is one of the five areas into which the Xanthi plain has been divided. It includes irrigated land of approximately 56,000 hectares (which represents about 22% of the total area of the plain) and faces the most severe salinization problems.

The 13 Regional Civil Protection Centers with a cost of 163 million euros.

The contracting authority is the KTYP. The tender started on February 15, 2021, and it is a double tender. The first cluster includes six Regional Civil Protection Centers with a cost of 60.7 million euros (excluding VAT), and the second cluster includes seven Regional Civil Protection Centers with a cost of 70.8 million euros (excluding VAT). The total duration of the project is set at 324 months (27 years), with 24 months for construction and the remaining 300 months (25 years) for operation and management.

Construction of irrigation networks TOEB Tavropos with a cost of 159.6 million euros.

The contracting authority is the Ministry of Rural Development. The tender started on November 18, 2022. Present at the expression of interest were GEK TERNA – KONSTANTINIDIS, MYTILENAIOS – INTRAKAT – MESOGEIOS, AKTOR PARACHORISEIS – AVAX. The duration of the contract is 25 years. The Tavropos Irrigation Network, which serves a total area of 115,000 hectares, consists of water transport and distribution projects (main conduit, primary and secondary network) and application networks (tertiary network).

The 17 schools in Central Macedonia with a cost of 159.2 million euros.
The contracting authority is the KTYP. The tender started on May 21, 2021. The contractor selected is the consortium MYTILENAIOS-ATESE. The duration of the project is 324 months. It involves the design and: construction, financing, maintenance, and operation of 17 school units in the Central Macedonia Region, through PPP. The building complexes are distributed in the Region and specifically in nine Municipalities. The project is expected to be contracted during the summer.

Judicial Palaces in Central Macedonia with a cost of 148.8 million euros.

The contracting authority is the KTYP. The tender started on November 15, 2021. The duration of the contract is 360 months. Participating in the tender were: GEK TERNA, AKTOR PARACHORISEIS, AVAX, MYTILENAIOS-ATESE, TEKAL-JCC (Lebanon), INTRAKAT-REDEX. Specifically, the project includes the functional reconstruction of the existing Thessaloniki Courthouse and the construction of three (3) new Courthouses in Kilkis, Edessa, and Serres, which includes the new buildings with their necessary equipment as well as the landscaping of the surrounding area of the three new building facilities.

Minaigiotiko Dam in Messinia with a cost of 145.08 million euros.

The contracting authority is the Ministry of Rural Development. The tender started on December 19, 2022. Present at the expression of interest were GEK TERNA – KONSTANTINIDIS, MYTILENAIOS – INTRAKAT – MESOGEIOS, AKTOR PARACHORISEIS – AVAX. The duration of the contract is 22-25 years. Specifically, the subject of the Consortium Agreement concerns the construction of the Minaigiotiko Dam and other associated works.

New Building for the General Secretariat of Infrastructure with a cost of 139.6 million euros.

The contracting authority is the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport. The tender started on September 10, 2021. The consortium INTRAKAT-REDEX was selected as the contractor. The duration of the contract is for 360 months. The subject of the contract concerns the study, financing, construction, insurance, and maintenance of a functional, modern building complex to house the services of the General Secretariat of Infrastructure of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport on Piraeus Street. It will be designed based on the principles of bioclimatic design, integrating environmental and energy considerations, and should achieve LEED certification (Silver or higher). Additionally, it includes the construction of a pedestrian bridge over Piraeus Street to provide access to the building.

Furthermore, it includes the redevelopment of the surrounding area, a part of which is located on an adjacent plot owned by O.S.E. A.E., managed by GaiaO.S.E. A.E., which will essentially serve as the access between the building complex under construction and the “Rouf” station of the Suburban Railway. The project is expected to be contracted by the end of 2024.

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