Greece rushes to exit coal amid carbon price surge
Nikos Mantzaris discusses with journalist Cristina Brooks the developments leading to the recent decision by PPC and the Greek government to move forward the lignite phase out by 3 years, to 2025, and how Greece’s last lignite plant, Ptolemaida 5, can be converted into a sustainable renewables-based energy storage facility providing cheaper electricity than a fossil gas plant which is currently PPC’s default plan for the post-lignite future of Ptolemaida 5.
Environmental permit terms for wind farms
Based on an analysis of 101 environmental permits for wind farms in Greece, the Green Tank and Nature Conservation Consultants (NCC) document differentiated approaches in the permitting process and recommend the adoption of a harmonized approach across the country. The promotion of renewable energy sources (RES) is the central tool for achieving the country's climate…
Renewables is the first source of energy in Greece
Nikos Mantzaris commented on the progress of renewables compared to other energy sources in Greece's electricity mix as it becomes apparent from the analysis of IPTO data for the first quarter of 2021, as well as the consequences of this development, to Machie Tratsa, journalist of Finacial Post.
6 reasons for the reform of the Greek National Energy and Climate Plan
Opinion piece by Nikos Mantzaris in huffingtopost.gr on the reasons which render the immediate reform of the Greek National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) necessary.
EU after Lignite and Coal
Analysis on the evolution of gross electricity production from different energy sources in EU-27 Members States since the beginning of the century as well as on the challenges for the future arising from the observed trends.
The energy future of Western Macedonia must not rely on fossil gas
Interview of Nikos Mantzaris with Antonis Mavridis, journalist of ERT Kozani, regarding the resources of Greece's Just Transition Development Program (PDAM), the conversion of Ptolemaida 5 until 2025, and the soundness or not of the choice to use fossil gas as the fuel for district heating in W. Macedonia.
Joint call for the protection of sharks in Greece
Following another incident of catching, selling and displaying a Great White Shark in Greece, NGOs issue a joint call to the Ministry of Rural Development and Food on the protection of the sharks in Greece.
Trends in electricity production – March 2021
According to the latest data for the interconnected electricity network from ADMIE (March 2021):
Renewables fill in the shoes of lignite: For the first time renewables (RES) become the first source of electricity in Greece during the 1st quarter of the year, surpassing fossil gas, lignite and net imports.
Fine imposed for violation of environmental law on Elafonisos
A fine was imposed to a TV production company for violating the environmental legislation in the protected habitats of Elafonisos, following a complaint by environmental NGOs, including the Green Tank.
How the EU Modernization Fund can be a driver for the fossil-free energy transformation
With a view to the forthcoming revision of the European Emissions Trading System Directive, the Green Tank, in collaboration with 5 other environmental organizations under the auspices of Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe, is presenting its position on the key issue of the Modernization Fund which is expected to accumulate funds in the order of 25 billion euro during the decade 2021-2030.
The Green Tank on the Greek Just Transition Development Programme
The Green Tank participated in the public consultation for the concept paper of the Greek Just Transition Development Programme (PDAM), submitting comments and specific recommendations.
Funding and de-lignitization in Greece
Nikos Mantzaris participated in an online discussion organized by SYRIZA -Progressive Alliance MEP Petros Kokkalis on Thursday, April 22, 2021 about the prospects in Greece’s lignite regions through the use of the resources of the EU Just Transition Mechanism as well as those of the Recovery and Resilience Fund.
Greece brings coal exit forward three years to 2025
The Europe Beyond Coal Campaign welcomes Greece’s earlier exit from lignite which is marked by PPC's decision to convert its last lignite plant "Ptolemaida" 5 in a different technology by 2025 but warns against the wrong choice in the replacement technology.
Replacement options for Ptolemaida 5
Alternative replacement options of converting the "Ptolemaida 5" lignite plant are compared in a techno-economic analysis prepared by enervis in collaboration with the Green Tank and Client Earth.
