The Minister of Environment and Energy, Stavros Papastaurou, stated, during the preparation of the bill concerning the modernization of legislation for the use and production of energy from Renewable Energy Sources (RES), that “with today’s bill we are opening the path for ‘balcony solar panels’, giving every Greek citizen the opportunity to reduce their energy costs”.
As Mr. Papastaurou explained, “the RES Directive that we are incorporating sets precise targets, establishes rules, provides specifics, gives definitions, criteria, and updates the existing framework.” This is “a legislation with which we strengthen energy democracy, by simplifying procedures and accelerating the sustainable energy transition, enhancing citizen participation in the energy market with transparency, and further increasing the share of Renewable Energy Sources in the energy mix,” he noted.
“That’s why I speak of energy democracy. The sun and wind belong to all citizens. And with today’s bill we are opening the path for ‘balcony solar panels’. The 800W, which we enable every Greek citizen to use to reduce their energy costs, thus realizing the concept of energy democracy,” he emphasized.
Papastaurou: Small solar panels in Greece have one of the highest penetration rates in Europe
Referring to the discussion about “small solar panels,” the Minister of Environment and Energy pointed out that “of the 18 GW of RES entering our energy mix, approximately 9.2 are from the electricity distribution network operator. That is, low and medium voltage. Of these, at least 80,000 solar panels are small solar installations. This is one of the largest proportional penetration rates in Europe. Proof that in Greece, energy concerns everyone, the many and not the few.”
Regarding the European Directive included in the bill, Mr. Papastaurou emphasized that it addresses all member states that have different speeds regarding RES penetration. “Therefore, they do not have the same impact on all states. Some countries, like Greece, have already achieved their targets and are actually leading in the percentage of energy penetration from sun and wind in the energy mix. We are seventh globally. Some other states need these simplifications much more to manage to enhance RES penetration in their energy mix,” the minister observed and added: “The goal was and remains accessible abundant energy for citizens with a diversified energy mix, reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels under conditions of energy resilience and security for citizens and businesses.”
Regarding the bill’s regulations related to NATURA areas, he emphasized that “we are trying to bring order while protecting the biodiversity of each area.” As he noted, “today as we speak, entire cities are located within the Natura 2000 network: Ioannina, Kastoria, islands like Chalki, Skopelos, as well as important public infrastructure such as airports and large and smaller ports.”
As Mr. Papastaurou stressed, “what we aim for is the elimination of irrational and anarchic expansion of settlements and the prevention of unauthorized construction. How is this achieved? Through the possibility of limited expansion of the city plan but with planning. Not anarchically, as it happens now. Special environmental studies within the framework of the local or special urban planning of the area.” “And I remind that there is always the safety valve of the strategic environmental impact study where a new public consultation takes place, within which the impacts of any proposed expansion of the city plan on the protected object of the specific area are examined in detail.” He even reminded that “local and special urban plans are approved by the Council of State: The preventive legality control by the Council of State constitutes a very strong additional guarantee, which ensures the compatibility of the proposed uses with the need to protect the area.”
“Instead of a poorly understood political correctness, which in reality does not care about the substantial protection of nature, we choose to see the real data as it is today, to recognize the need for balanced development with order and rules, that satisfies the needs of the local population, while maintaining the balance between protecting the natural environment and biodiversity,” the Minister of Environment and Energy concluded.
