Paving the way for “photovoltaics on the balcony”, in the context of strengthening energy democracy.
“With today’s bill, we are paving the way for “photovoltaics on the balcony”, enabling every Greek citizen to reduce the cost of their installation,” said Minister of Environment and Energy, Stavros Papastavrou, in the context of the processing of the bill on the modernization of legislation on the use and production of energy from Renewable Energy Sources (RES).
As Mr Papastavrou said, “the Directive on RES that we are incorporating sets precise objectives, establishes rules, specifies, gives definitions, criteria, updates the current framework“. This is “a piece of legislation with which we are strengthening energy democracy, by simplifying procedures and accelerating the sustainable energy transition, enhancing citizens’ participation in the energy market with transparency, and further increasing the share of Renewable Energy Sources in the energy mix”, he noted.
“That is why I am talking about energy democracy. The sun and the wind belong to all citizens. And with today’s bill we are paving the way for ‘photovoltaics on the balcony’. The 800W, which we give the opportunity to every Greek citizen to reduce their energy costs, thus realizing the concept of energy democracy, “he stressed.
Small photovoltaics in Greece have one of the largest penetrations in Europe
Referring to the discussion on “small photovoltaics”, the Minister of Environment and Energy pointed out that “of the 18 GW of RES that enter our energy mix, about 9.2 are from DEDDIE. That is, the low and medium voltage. Of these, at least 80,000 are small photovoltaics. It is one of the largest analogue penetrations that exists in Europe. Proof that in Greece energy is for everyone, for the many and not for the few.”
As for the European Directive that the bill includes, Papastavrou pointed out that it is addressed to all member states that have different speeds in terms of penetration of renewable energy.”Since they do not have the same impact in all states. Some countries, like Greece, have already reached their targets, and in fact are leading the way in the penetration rate of energy, from solar and wind, in the energy mix. We are seventh in the world. Some other countries need these simplifications much more to succeed in boosting the penetration of renewable energy in its energy mix,” the minister observed, adding: “The goal was and remains affordable abundant energy for citizens with a diversified energy mix, reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels in conditions of energy resilience and security for citizens and businesses.”
As for the bill’s regulations related to NATURA areas, he stressed that “we are trying to bring order by protecting the biodiversity of each area.” As he noted, “as we speak, entire cities are located within the Natura 2000 network: Ioannina, Kastoria, islands such as Halki, Skopelos, but also important public infrastructure such as airports and large and small ports“.
Elimination of irrational and unauthorized expansion of settlements
As Mr Papastavrou stressed, “what we are seeking is the elimination of the irrational and unauthorized expansion of settlements and the prevention of building arbitrary structures. How can this be done? Through the possibility of limited expansion of the city plan but with planning. Not anarchically, as is currently the case. Specific environmental studies within the local or specific urban plan of the area.” “And I remind you that there is always the safety net of the strategic environmental impact study where there is a public consultation again, in which the impact of any proposed extension of the city plan on the protected object of the specific area is examined in detail.” He reminded that the TPAs and EIAs are approved by the Council of State: The preventive legality check by the State Council is a strong additional guarantee that ensures the compatibility of the proposed uses with the need to protect the area,” he observed.
“Instead of a poorly conceived political correctness, which in reality does not care about the effective protection of nature, we choose to look at the real facts as they are today, to recognize the need for a balanced development with order and rules, which meets the needs of local people, while maintaining the balance between the protection of the natural environment and biodiversity,” the Minister of Environment and Energy concluded.
