The goal of energy transition does not change, but we need to be realistic and not ignore the energy security factor, Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou said, speaking today at the Energy Transition Summit – East Med & Southeast Europe conference.
He said the EU has so far approached the energy transition in ethical terms. He added: “It is not a question of ethics, the target is given and Greece, despite the economic crisis, has reduced its carbon dioxide emissions by 50% since 2005. At the same time we need base energy which in Greece is provided by hydrocarbons. Natural gas does not compete in the energy transition but complements it. That is why we are promoting hydrocarbon exploration in the Ionian Sea and at the same time we need to increase energy storage, which is a challenge for all countries.”
Papastavrou also underlined the importance of promoting energy interconnections in South-Eastern Europe, referring to a paradigm shift in a region where wars and conflicts have been prevalent. He referred in particular to cooperation with North Macedonia and Serbia for the completion of gas interconnections for mutual benefit and called on the EU to support the integration of all countries in the region into the energy market.
At the same conference, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources of BiH.Macedonia Sanja Bozhinovska said at the same conference that the gas interconnection under construction with Greece is expected to be operational in mid-2027, while the interconnection with Serbia will be completed earlier.
