Greece's Geotechnical Chamber Proposes Key Measures for Renewable Energy Projects

The Geotechnical Chamber of Greece has put forward crucial recommendations for the nation's renewable energy strategy, focusing on the integration of RES projects with environmental and land-use considerations. In its submission to the Ministry of Environment and Energy, the chamber stressed that while boosting RES is vital for Greece's energy and climate goals, success hinges on precise spatial planning and safeguarding productive land.

The chamber's proposals highlight the need to protect high-productivity agricultural land, designating it a non-renewable resource. It suggests prioritizing the use of existing infrastructure or already altered sites for RES installations before encroaching on fertile farmland. For forest areas, the chamber insists on a dedicated review by forestry authorities for all projects, including associated infrastructure.

Furthermore, the Geotechnical Chamber calls for a review of transitional provisions and pending projects, ensuring that those not yet finalized are subject to the new regulations. It advocates for transparent reassessment processes based on scientific criteria and legal certainty. The chamber also proposes establishing spatial carrying capacity indicators for each municipality, regional unit, and river basin before approving new investments, acknowledging the extensive associated infrastructure like transmission lines and roads.

Specific concerns were raised regarding small hydropower projects, with a plea to prevent cumulative installations on the same riverbed. The chamber also pointed out a gap in the framework concerning pumped-storage projects, urging for a dedicated chapter due to their significant water and land requirements. Finally, it called for a clear distinction between bioenergy from pure biomass and waste incineration, cautioning against the RES framework being used to legitimize waste-to-energy plants.