In 2005, it was announced that construction of the Italy-Greece gas pipeline would begin in 2007, with completion scheduled for 2010. This project will require investment of approximately £650 million: approximately £410 million will be invested directly by Depa for the portion of the pipeline that will be located in Greece, with the balance invested by Poseidon to build the subsea section between Italy and Greece. Subsequently, Botas will also be offered an opportunity to invest in the joint venture. The IGI project has already been reviewed by the European Union, which considers it one of five priority schemes for the development of a trans-European energy system and has provided financial support for the development of technical and financial feasibility studies. In Italy, local and regional governments have also expressed significant interest in this project and Edison is cooperating actively with them to define the best conditions for the construction of the project. The IGI pipeline will have a length of about 800km, 600km of which will be built by Depa in Greece; the remaining 206km will run under the sea between Greece and Apulia. Operation is now seen as beginning in 2012 at the earliest.