Several areas of southern Kefalonia remained without electricity and running water for a second consecutive day after a major wildfire caused extensive damage to the island’s power distribution network.
The most severe disruptions have been reported in the communities of Skala, Katelios, Ratzakli, Markopoulo, Pastra, and Kremmydi, where dozens of electricity poles were destroyed by the fire.
The power outage has also disrupted the water supply because pumping stations depend on electricity. According to reports, the Kefalonia Municipal Water and Sewerage Company (DEYAK) installed generators at Skala’s water facilities, but they reportedly failed to operate because they lacked fuel, leaving the area without water.
Greece’s electricity distribution network operator (HEDNO) later transported three large generators to Skala in an effort to meet the settlement’s increased electricity needs. However, the generators proved insufficient, supplying only about 3% of the area’s power demand.
Nikos Kourkoumelis, deputy mayor of the Eleios-Pronnoi municipal district, told COSMOS 96.5 radio that the most critical phase of the wildfire has passed. He said the combined efforts of firefighters, public services, and local residents prevented any fatalities or the destruction of homes.
According to Kourkoumelis, the fire was largely brought under control by the previous evening, and restoring damaged infrastructure is now the top priority.
He said approximately 15 to 17 electricity poles were destroyed and that HEDNO crews were working intensively to restore power, with electricity expected to return after 5:00 p.m.
Responding to complaints from residents and business owners that priority had been given to Skala and large businesses through the installation of generators, Kourkoumelis rejected the claims.
He said the locations for the generators were selected solely by HEDNO, without municipal involvement. Initially, two small generators and later two additional generators were installed, supplying only a limited section of Skala’s main road and pedestrian area, where connecting them to the network was technically easier.
He stressed that no specific businesses received preferential treatment and that any shops that regained power did so because of their position on the electricity network.
Water supply problems continue across parts of the region. Kourkoumelis said small generators are operating some pumping stations, while water is being delivered by tanker trucks elsewhere. However, high demand and a limited number of tankers have prevented authorities from fully meeting local needs, leaving areas such as Spathi, Koutoupa, and, at times, Skala facing water shortages.
He also noted that the town of Poros has had its electricity restored through a connection from Sami. Authorities examined whether the same solution could be applied to Skala, but HEDNO informed the municipality that it was not technically feasible because of limitations in the power grid.
The deputy mayor also announced that the planned ceremony to name British actor Simon Pegg an honorary citizen of the Municipality of Argostoli has been postponed due to the aftermath of the wildfire. The event is expected to take place at a later date, most likely in September.
