Following an invitation from the Public Benefit Enterprise of the Municipality of Iraklia, the Hellenic Survey of Geology and Mineral Exploration (EAGME) participated in a workshop held as part of the reopening ceremony of the Ecotourism Promotion Center in Lithotopos, Serres, on Sunday, February 5, 2023.
The aim of the workshop was to present the “past, present, and future” of Lake Kerkini and its surrounding area through presentations highlighting the history of the dam and the creation of the lake, the wetland ecosystem that has developed there, as well as the geothermal field located to its east.
Among the speakers was Dr. Apostolos Arvanitis, Head of the Geothermal Department (GEOTHE) of EAGME, who delivered a presentation entitled “The Geothermal Field of Lithotopos–Iraklia: Current Characteristics and Future Prospects.” In his speech, he provided a concise overview of the geothermal research conducted in the area and the conclusions drawn, while also emphasizing key points regarding its potential future utilization.
The event was attended by the Members of Parliament for the Prefecture of Serres, Mr. Anastasios Hatzivasileiou, Mr. Theofilos Leontaridis, and Mr. Konstantinos Boubas, as well as the Mayor of Iraklia, Mr. Georgios Koutsakis, who delivered a brief opening address and closed the workshop. Many local residents also attended the event.
On the sidelines of the workshop and during February 6–7, 2023, the EAGME Geothermal Department team—consisting of Dr. Apostolos Arvanitis and Mr. Panagiotis Vakalopoulos—held an extensive and constructive discussion with the Mayor of Iraklia, Mr. Georgios Koutsakis, and his associates. The meeting focused on future cooperation and the definition of joint actions between EAGME and the Municipality of Iraklia, with the ultimate goal of the rational and sustainable utilization of the low-enthalpy (local interest) geothermal field of Lithotopos–Iraklia, for which the Municipality of Iraklia has held the exploitation and management rights since November 17, 2020.