On October 30 the World Bank organized in Athens a technical meeting to discuss the concept of an alternative energy and energy storage hub for Western Macedonia in Greece. The meeting was convened by the World Bank at expert level as part of its remit of technical assistance to Greece to plan a managed transition out of lignite, financed through the Structural Reform Support Services (SRSS) of the European Commission.On October 30 the World Bank organized in Athens a technical meeting to discuss the concept of an alternative energy and energy storage hub for Western Macedonia in Greece. The meeting was convened by the World Bank at expert level as part of its remit of technical assistance to Greece to plan a managed transition out of lignite, financed through the Structural Reform Support Services (SRSS) of the European Commission.
As it became known during the workshop, the World Bank’s technical assistance will position the regional authorities of Western Macedonia and Government of Greece for a transition to a low carbon economy. It would do so through the development of a detailed Coal Mining Sector Transition Road Map. Based on the application of the World Bank Group’s relevant planning, diagnostic and assessment tools, the Road Map outlines actions required to ensure a just transition in the coal regions. The Road Map is organized around 3 pillars: (i) government systems; (ii) people and communities; and (iii) repurposing land and assets. Critical to the Road Map is a list of priority economic transition and revitalization projects to absorb labor and spur economic development.
As part of the preliminary work to date, the World Bank is developing the outline of a regional economic transition strategy which will suggest at least two pathways for future regional development. One of the pathways under consideration is that of creating an Alternative Energy and Energy Storage Hub in Western Macedonia. The reasoning being that the current assets, infrastructure and community identity built around lignite could well be harnessed and transitioned towards a new energy identity and economy in the region.
In September 2019, the World Bank presented to the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MoEE) a preliminary concept on an Alternative Energy and Energy Storage Hub. The purpose of introducing the concept was to seek approval from the government as to whether the concept, in its embryonic form, was noteworthy enough to pursue further technical studies. In October 2019, the World Bank presented the same embryonic concept to the regional authorities of Western Macedonia. Based on consent provided by both the MoEE and the regional authorities of Western Macedonia, the World Bank is now pursuing further technical analysis on the concept. A critical set of stakeholders to consult during this technical analysis period are the private operators and regulatory authorities operating and governing the power sector in Greece.
The objective of the workshop was to determine whether the alternative energy and energy storage hub concept, as one of the proposed pathways for the regional economic transition strategy, merits consideration and therefore whether further in-depth quantified cost-benefit analysis of the concept is merited. A sub-objective is, on the basis of feedback received, to discuss the broad outline of a TOR for a full system feasibility study, should the concept find merit with the stakeholders.
More than 30 of Greece's top energy experts participated in this highly topical meeting to review progress to date and also exchange views on the most optimal ways to move forward with specific decarbonisation plans. IENE's Chairman and Executive Director, Mr. Costis Stambolis, actively participated in the workshop contributing comments and discussing alternative strategies.
