By Costas Stambolis - Kathimerini

The recent devastating forest fires – which have left behind extensive damage to cultivated land, villages and a tragic death toll of 64 – also raises serious concerns over safety and fire protection issues in relation to crucial state infrastructure.

Such infrastructure surely includes energy, an extremely important sector for the national economy, which involves generation, transportation and supply, i.e. natural gas networks, refineries, power stations, etc.

Among the most vulnerable characteristics of modern energy systems is their centralized generation, transportation and distribution, whether with regard to oil, gas or electricity. Even though a large part of energy could be produced – and consumed – on a local, decentralized level, as it was until some decades ago (in Greece it was up until the 1950s), the technology oriented town development models have paved the way for centralized systems to be fully established, despite certain inherent shortfalls, especially regarding safety.

On the other hand, the advantages offered by centralized energy systems are immense compared to those of local, decentralized systems. One such advantage is the very low cost per connection, which allows public utility companies to develop and service an increasing numbers of consumers. Of course, the risk factor involved is included in the bill.

Greece’s high risk energy installations are currently its oil refineries because of their complex operation and the highly flammable materials handled. Accidents involving refineries may be rare but they do happen.

Some years ago, a tragic accident at the old Petrola refinery at Elefsina cost the lives of 13 workers when part of the installations exploded, even though they were not in operation but undergoing maintenance work.

Another example is the more recent accident at BP’s Texas refinery in 2005, which cost the lives of 15 and left hundreds injured, as well as many other accidents that have occurred around the world.

Gas safety is a similarly grave matter, though the nature of accidents here varies. Most relate to network leaks and failures, but safety systems are capable of isolating the failed parts of the network.

However, both oil and gas facilities are especially vulnerable to terrorist attacks, which could indeed result in considerable material damage as well as loss of human life.

The recent national fire tragedy brought to light certain grave issues relating to the safety of power plants, as well as storage facilities and transportation networks. The risk faced by Public Power Corporation (PPC) in Megalopolis (Peloponnese) and Aliveri (Evia), and the problems over power distribution, are concrete examples of such safety threats. Similar risks are faced by oil and natural gas storage facilities and distribution networks.

The installation of independent fire extinguishing systems at such facilities is not always guaranteed. The example of Ancient Olympia’s fire protection system that went on the blink shortly after the blaze spread in the area is telling enough.

As far as energy is concerned, it may be said that Greece is a vulnerable country: power sufficiency is marginal and any damage may result in minor or major cuts or even blackouts. Equally nightmarish may be any natural catastrophe or sabotage to refineries, pipelines and power generation plants, which would pose an immediate threat to human life and the environment.

Bearing in mind the recent fire disaster, the need to improve and safeguard the country’s energy infrastructure is now even more imperative. Consequently, the safety systems at energy installations need to be re-examined and improved where necessary, while the state apparatus should be better prepared.