News

At an event by XEN Glyfada, Ioli Christopoulou from The Green Tank highlighted the importance of the energy transition, Greece’s recent progress – such as the dramatic decline of lignite and the rise of renewables – and the challenges ahead.

The Green Tank has provided comments on the progress of the Modernisation Fund as part of the evaluation conducted by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Climate Action (DG Clima).

The Green Tank and the free press Together are launching a new partnership to strengthen the role and participation of young people of the lignite regions in the Just Transition.

Ioanna Souka comments in an Energy Intelligence article

The Green Tank expressed its position against the use of LNG by the planned pilot CHP unit with resources from the European Just Transition Fund in the context of the 8th written consultation process.

April recorded the lowest domestic consumption in the last 17 months. For the first time in 2025, monthly gas use in electricity fell compared to last year, while grids recorded a large increase (+58%). In April, Russian gas rebounded, as it surpassed LNG imports for the first time in the last six months. Greece remains in the worst position in the ranking among EU Member States, with the largest increase (+28.4%) in gas consumption in the first quarter of 2025 compared to 2024.

The new CAN report titled “Community Engagement and Fair Benefit Sharing of Renewable Energy Projects”, in which The Green Tank contributed, presents a guide aimed at strengthening the engagement of local communities in renewable energy projects.

In March 2025, CO2 emissions from fossil fuel power plants were 1.01 million tons, down 41% from February. A total of 4.5 million tons were emitted from the power generation sector in the first quarter of 2025. Emissions from fossil gas plants for the first quarter were the highest of the decade at 2.36 million tons. Two lignite plants and three gas plants made up the top five polluters. The power sector has already met 44% of the available carbon budget for 2025 (10.2 million tons) based on the revised final NECP and is currently off track to achieve the

However, the slowdown in both the electrification and new applications for self-production projects by citizens, energy communities and other stakeholders, recorded after the switch to the net billing scheme is worrisome, according to the new Green Tank review. The lignite region of Western Macedonia continues to face the biggest problem of grid space availability.

March 2025 saw a decline in demand (-5.8%). RES production in the same month reached 2,299 GWh, despite increased curtailments (104 GWh), and reduced wind generation. However, the huge increase in fossil gas in the first quarter of 2025 (+2,142 GWh), which was directed mainly at exports, has led to a completely opposite picture to the one observed in the same period of the previous two years, when clean energy surpassed fossil fuels.

On Tuesday April 29, the Green Tank organized the webinar “What is the ETS 2 and why does it concern us?”, in the context of the LIFE Effect project.

A side event at the 10th Our Ocean Conference in Busan, Korea showcased progress on the innovative SAvE Whales system, one year after its joint commitment was announced in Athens. The collaboration between Greek authorities and conservation organisations aims to prevent ship strikes on endangered sperm whales in the Mediterranean.

Nikos Mantzaris spoke to Kalli Zarali and the ERT3 show “Borders” about PPC’s plans in Western Macedonia and the new energy landscape that is taking shape in the Western Balkans.

In an open event held in Sitia, local stakeholders and residents were informed about the model restoration activities of Posidonia oceanica meadows in Atzikari Bay, as part of the Interreg Euro-MED ARTEMIS project. The event showcased the first results of beach and underwater clean-up efforts in Atzikari Bay.