By Alexia Sotiriou

 

Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni stressed the importance of green transition in the tourism sector, describing it as crucial for achieving sustainability and environmental protection.

 

The Minister delivered a speech at an event of the Ministry of Environment and Energy. During the event, seven new programs for energy upgrading were presented, including the improvement of the energy efficiency of mountain tourist accommodations.

 

Kefalogianni reviewed the critical issues at the heart of the strategy for the sustainable development of Greek tourism, in particular the policies and actions implemented to strengthen the country’s mountainous regions.

 

She explained that climate change is affecting the preferences of travelers, who are now looking for destinations with sustainable practices and experiences that respect the environment.

 

"Travelers are increasingly choosing experiences that meet their interests, with an emphasis on environmental responsibility. This creates new prospects for the development of mountain tourism," the minister emphasized.

 

Energy upgrade of mountain tourist accommodations

 

Kefalogianni emphasized that the program for the energy upgrade of mountain tourist accommodations offers multiple benefits, as it strengthens national climate goals, upgrades Greek tourism and promotes balanced development in mountainous areas.

 

She made special reference to the recent legislative initiative of the Ministry of Tourism for the conversion of ski resorts into twelve-month tourist infrastructures. In particular, with the law passed ten days ago, ski resorts will be able to offer a multitude of activities throughout the year, while the development of mountain refuges and accommodations within them will be permitted, with respect for environmental provisions. The Tourism Minister emphasized that the Recovery and Resilience Fund finances the upgrade of five ski resorts as well as the upgrade of mountain refuges, and the promotion of mountain tourism, through the creation of a special digital platform.

 

Central Greece a champion in wind installations

 

The wind power connected to the grid reached 5,355 megawatts (MW) at the end of 2024, according to the annual Wind Energy Statistics released by the Hellenic Wind Energy Association (ELETAEN).

 

According to the Statistics, 39 new wind turbines with a total output power of 125.5 MW were connected to the grid in 2024, corresponding to investments totaling 150 million euros. This represents an increase of 2.4% compared to the end of 2023.

 

Two factors

 

According to the Association, a small reduction was observed due to the combination of two factors:

 

The previous year (2023) was the second-best year for wind energy in Greece, because many new wind farms were completed and connected. Similarly, the next year (2025) is expected to be much more positive, because during this period many new wind investments are being constructed or have been contracted and will be completed in the coming months. It is therefore estimated that the 2024 delay may also be due to cyclical factors in the timing of investments.

 

Another significant factor remains the delay due to bureaucratic obstacles and the frequent inability of services to correctly implement the provisions and deadlines of the licensing legislation. As a result, wind farms face a licensing regime that is clearly worse than other technologies.

 

According to ELETAEN, at the end of 2024, over 1.1 GW of new wind farms were under construction or had been contracted, the vast majority of which are expected to be connected to the grid within the next 18 months.

 

Another 300 MW must be added, which have been selected in tenders, but do not belong to any of the above categories. As a result, the total wind power will exceed 6.5 GW within the next two years.

 

Central Greece at the top