In Greece, small islands are slowly adopting renewable energy

“Chalki becomes the symbol of Greece that we want for the day after the pandemic”, notes, enthusiastically, the Greek Minister for the Environment, Kostas Skrekas. A Franco-Greek agreement, signed Friday, July 2, between the government, the municipality, the French car manufacturer Citroën (Stellantis group), the French companies Vinci Energies and Akuo Energy, should allow the island of the Dodecanese archipelago, located west of Rhodes, to become energy self-sufficient.

The project, financed by both companies and European funds, provides for the installation of photovoltaic panels with a power of one megawatt – thanks to which most of the energy needs of the islanders will be covered -, electric vehicles and points charging, as well as a public lighting system that consumes little energy. The sorting and recycling of waste, as well as the supply of hotels and restaurants with organic products, are also on the program.

Digital nomads

With the participation of the Greek telecommunications company Vodafone, 5G and broadband networks must also be deployed, in particular making it possible to set up an efficient telemedicine system.

According to Kostas Skrekas, “The benefits for the inhabitants of the island will be significant, as they will enjoy a better quality of life and lower energy costs, Chalki will be a new model for ecotourism and an island that can attract digital nomads “, More and more in recent months in Greece with the pandemic.

Alexandra Sdoukou, Secretary General at the Ministry of the Environment, notes that with the solutions promoted for Chalki carbon dioxide emissions (CO₂) will be reduced by 2,576 tonnes per year, because the island will eventually be able to do without fossil fuels, in particular diesel which now supplies back-up generators in homes.

The cost of electricity for the island is also expected to decrease by 260,000 euros per year. The mayor of Chalki, Evangelos Fragkakis, is delighted with this initiative which can only be positive for the approximately 500 inhabitants: “It will bring work for permanent residents, attract more tourists, and improve our quality of life. “

With the first hybrid power plant that stores the energy produced by a wind turbine and solar panels, Tilos is virtually energy independent.

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