The area in Aitoloakarnania, where the largest public cooperative photovoltaic park in Greece is planned to be developed, which was established by a law passed last Thursday in Parliament, was visited today by Environment and Energy Minister Stavrou Papastavrou.
The ministry notes that this is a project of particular importance for the energy transition, sustainable development and the strengthening of the role of Aitoloakarnania and Western Greece in the new energy map of the country.
On completion of the project, the reduction in energy expenditure for beneficiaries is estimated to reach 62%, providing energy security to 147,000 farmers and citizens. At the same time, the project has a strong social dimension, as it will meet the needs of 17,000 vulnerable households and directly affect almost 300,000 residents in twelve municipalities of the region.
The power plant is expected to have a capacity of 105 MW, making it the largest public virtual energy offsetting project in Greece and one of the largest in Europe. The project will be implemented on a public estate in Messolonghi (Polder estate), granted to the Region of Western Greece by the Ministry of Rural Development. Part of the implementation of the project will be covered by the CIP of Western Greece, from which 25 million euros have been allocated for this purpose.
Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou said: “We are putting energy democracy into practice. We are implementing in Western Greece the largest public cooperative photovoltaic park in the country. 147,000 farmers are benefiting and 17,000 vulnerable households are getting free electricity. It was an issue that the Regional Authority had put to us in a timely and well-documented manner, having secured European funding. The commitment of the government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis is the continuous presence in the region and the implementation of policies that respond to the real needs of citizens. With plan, consistency and cooperation, we are moving forward with interventions that enhance growth, shield energy security, reduce energy costs and improve the daily lives of citizens.”
The regional governor of Western Greece Nektarios Farmakis said: “A great vision for Western Greece is now acquiring the substance to turn into a real project. And a great effort of years is bearing its first fruits. The institutionalisation of the energy communities of the Region of Western Greece offers us the potential to implement the largest collaborative energy democracy project in the country and one of the largest in Europe. I sincerely thank the Minister of Environment and Energy, Stavros Papastavrou, for his valuable contribution to the implementation of this effort, as well as the previous leaderships of the Ministry. But I must also reiterate once again that the Prime Minister himself saw and believed in our vision, which was a catalyst for the success of our efforts. Our responsibility now is to move forward with great speed in the implementation of the large cooperative photovoltaic park, offering significant energy respite to hundreds of thousands of our fellow citizens. In this very direction, we have already started working.”
Earlier, the Environment and Energy Minister visited Messolonghi, where he venerated the Holy Icon of the Virgin Mary “Axion Esti”. He then met with the mayor of the Holy City of Messolonghi, Spyros Diamantopoulos, with whom they discussed issues concerning the region and the possibilities of cooperation with the Ministry of Environment and Energy.
The previous day, a wide-ranging working meeting was also held, with the participation of the regional governor of Western Greece, Nektarios Farmakis, the MP for Aitoloakarnania, Thanasis Papathanasis, and mayors of the region. The meeting was attended by the mayors of Agrinio, Giorgos Papanastasiou, Thermos, Spyridon Konstantinas, Xiromeros, Giannis Triantafyllakis, Aktion-Vonitsa, Thanasis Kasolas, and Amfilochia, Sakis Torounidis.
The discussion focused on issues related to energy infrastructure upgrading, water resources management, protection of the natural environment, as well as projects that can enhance the development and everyday life of citizens in Aitoloakarnania.
As part of the visit, a meeting was also held with the President of the Chamber of Aitoloakarnania, Panagiotis Tsichritzi, with whom the prospects of strengthening entrepreneurship and the local economy through energy tools and investments were discussed.
At the same time, Mr Papastavrou met with the members of the IEP Aitoloakarnania of the New Republic, Mr Fani-Panagiotis Psylia, Panagiotis Pliatsikasika, Dimitris Kanata and Fani Valmas. The discussion took place in a warm atmosphere and focused on the needs of the region, the priorities of the government and the importance of constant contact with local communities.
