Can Greece become a green energy hub in the Mediterranean?
Hydrocarbon mining VS offshore wind
Research provided by a team of the UNESCO Headquarters for Climate Diplomacy, EKPA, led by Professor Emmanuela Doussi, in collaboration with Green Tank, shows that Greece’s investment in offshore wind farms contributes to strengthening both energy autonomy and geostrategy. position of the country.
In today’s juncture of multiple and interrelated crises spawned by intensifying climate change and general geopolitical instability, the energy system of the country and of Greece is facing historic challenges, with weaning off fossil fuels becoming imperative.
Among the critical questions that arise is how much the reheating of plans for the exploitation of hydrocarbons in the Greek seas is a viable option, as well as whether there are alternatives.
The text of the policy “Hydrocarbon mining vs offshore wind: Can Greece become a green energy hub in the Mediterranean?”, which was produced by a research team led by the professor of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Emmanuela Doussi, attempts to answer this question. resident. of the UNESCO Headquarters for Climate Diplomacy, through the collaboration with the environmental think tank The Green Tank.
Specifically, the text aims to understand the challenges posed by the current situation and the impasse to which the research and exploitation of hydrocarbons leads. It then explores the possibilities offered by the Greek seas for the installation of offshore wind farms and their climatic and geostrategic advantages over the mining program. Finally, it highlights the necessary arrangements at the policy level.
The policy text was presented in an online discussion co-organized by Green Tank, the UNESCO Chair for Climate Diplomacy at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and ELIAMEP. In its duration, the current geopolitical situation, the economic dimension, as well as the possibilities offered by the advancement of offshore wind technology.
In her introductory remarks, Ioli Christopoulou, policy director of Green Tank, mapped the challenges that the energy crisis creates for Greece and the possibilities of the green exit. “A few months after REPowerEU and the country’s commitments to even greater reductions in fossil gas consumption by 2030, but also the historical records of RES penetration and the reduction of gas consumption in Greece, the search for domestic gas fields is incompatible with the national . and European climate targets, while its economic viability is highly questionable. The development of offshore wind farms with absolute respect for the protection of biodiversity is an option that will accelerate the green transition, but also contribute to the smoothing of geopolitical differences in a spirit of peace and cooperation.”
Emmanuela Doussi presented the rationale and main points of the text. He pointed out that the hydrocarbon extraction program has now been overtaken by international and European proposals. “It is a program that is launched in another, outdated era, a program that is shown with the new climate goals nor with the imperative to accelerate the transition to clean forms of energy and to wean ourselves off fossil fuels. Our research has shown that instead of hydrocarbon extraction, energy independence, as well as strengthening the country’s geopolitical role, can be achieved through the installation of offshore wind farms. Wind energy is an inexhaustible and assured energy resource – not just a potential one – and for this reason it can mitigate rivalry and competition for exclusive control of energy resources as opposed to mining.”
Ioannis N. Grigoriadis, associate professor of Political Science and holder of the Jean Monnet Chair in European Studies, at Bilkent University in Turkey, principal researcher and head of the Turkey Program at ELIAMEP, presented the prospective installations of offshore wind farms in the current international political situation and in the future. “The disruption caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in the European energy market, and in particular natural gas, cannot lead to the disorientation of the European strategy for the substitution of hydrocarbons by renewable energy sources, as crystallized in the European Green Agreement. The rapid establishment of offshore wind farms can turn Greece into a leading country in renewable energy sources in the eastern Mediterranean, contribute to the interconnection of the electricity grids of coastal states and offer a powerful tool for regional cooperation.”
Eftychos Sargetakis, Professor of Environmental Economics at the University of Macedonia, presented estimates of the economic and environmental costs and benefits of potential mining. “Our country must take a clean stand regarding its contribution to the transition to zero activities. This decision should take into account the cost of our country’s environment and other activities, such as tourism, but also do what is expected of potential mining. Estimates must also be given for the distribution of the expected benefits to the central government, local communities and the impact on jobs. Finally, the above costs must be compared with the alternative investment in renewable energy sources in which our country has obvious comparative advantages. Unfortunately, the discussion about hydrocarbon research in our country does not provide the necessary information.”
Panagiotis Papastamatiou, general director of ELETAEN, commented on the biggest challenges today and in the future for offshore wind farms. “It is very important that the regulatory framework for offshore wind farms voted in the summer is quickly put on track and implemented. Systematic and coordinated work by the competent bodies involved is important in order to identify and establish in principle suitable wider areas and to give the first permits to interested investors. In this way, we can immediately take an important step so that our wind potential – and especially that of the Aegean – becomes a pillar of Europe’s energy independence”.