Challenges and opportunities on the road to decarbonization

The problems, challenges and opportunities that arise for the country and the local communities from decarbonization will be at the heart of a webinar organized by the Institute of Energy for South-East Europe (IENE) on Thursday 18 March 2021 from 15:00 to 19:00. The aim of this online event is to contribute to a constructive dialogue, through the presentation of the government’s position and its integrated Just Development Transition Plan(SDAM), as well as the views and concerns of local communities. Stakeholders, potential investors, local community representatives and leading experts will discuss latest developments around decarbonization.

The webinar will be attended by distinguished speakers, including:

·Kostis Mousouroulis, Chairman of the Coordinating Committee of SDAM

·George Kasapidis, Regional Governor of Western Macedonia District

·Konstantinos Mavros, Deputy Chairman & CEO of PPC Renewables

·Panagiotis Plakentas Mayor, Municipality of Eordea

·Lazaros Maloutas, Mayor, Municipality of Kozani

·Manolis Panagiotakis, former Chairman & CEO of PPC

·Andreas Petropouleas, Director of Energy Management, Elpedison & Chairman of the Electricity Committee of IENE

·Prof. Emmanuel Kakaras, SVP Mitsubishi Power Europe, Professor, National Technical University of Athens

·Dr. Giannis Bassias, Independent Energy Consultant & Former President & CEO, HHRM

·Konstantinos Messinis, President & CEO of METE SA

Greece’s national energy transition policy is reflected in the National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), which was submitted to the EU in a revised form in January 2020. NECP incorporates the goal for the complete decarbonization of the country by 2028 in an organized fashion with the aim of securing the country’s uninterrupted electricity supply and with minimum disruption to the economic and social fabric of local communities.

The government’s decarbonization plan envisages the gradual retirement of some 4.0 GW of lignite fueled power stations and the parallel adoption of integrated programmes to support the affected areas in their transition to the post-lignite period. In particular, the Greek Government appears committed to the withdrawal of all lignite plants by 2028 in a well planned and responsible manner. At the same time, creating and securing jobs and utilizing the human resources of these areas is a top priority.

For this purpose, it was deemed necessary to prepare a strategic plan for the transition of the lignite areas to the post lignite era, which includes enhanced tax incentives to attract investment, designation of specific land uses for the tens of thousands of acres of lignite mines to be released, RES applications utilizing existing substations and electricity infrastructure and networks, initiatives for the development of alternative agriculture, and the promotion of industrial activities, services and tourism.

The Just Development Transition Plan (SDAM), which was prepared by the Ministry of Environment and Energy under the leadership of the SDAM Committee and with the support of external advisors and Institutes (IENE, IOBE), aims at the overall transformation of the affected regions through strategic choices, in order to maintain and strengthen both the social fabric and the economy.

The March 18 webinar takes place in the context of IENE's efforts to promote dialogue in view of the processes taking place concerning decarbonization.

The online event includes three different sessions lasting 1 - 1.5 hours each.

The sessions will be moderated by the Chairman and Executive Director of IENE, Costis Stambolis, the Secretary General and Chairman of the IENE Energy Efficiency Committee, Costas Theofylaktos and the journalist of Capital.gr, Haris Floudopoulos.

To join the webinar, register here.