A municipality in Greece takes over its own energy production for the first time in the history of the country. The residents of Halki, in cooperation with their Municipality, are able to fully meet their energy needs thanks to the photovoltaic park of the island, created within the framework of the GReco Islands program. As a result, the electricity bill of residents is zeroed.
The GR-eco Islands initiative, through the state-of-the-art photovoltaic park in Halki (built by Spyropoulos SA), offers the island’s residents the opportunity to meet their energy needs, using the virtual energy compensation (Net-Metering) and to zero their bills for the electricity consumed. The result is that 34% of the electricity bills issued by the DEH for the period of one year have a negative score, 40% are below € 100,00 and 26%, mainly for, reaches up to € 800,00
Last year, the total savings exceeded €200,000, and the photovoltaic park in Chalk contributed to the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere by 2,246 kg. Halki is the first island to implement the GR Eco Islands, which is part of the national initiative for the integrated green transition of small islands. The Greek Government aims to address climate change, promote sustainable development and strengthen the green economy and cutting-edge technologies through this initiative.
One year after the signing of the relevant Memorandum of Cooperation, the GR-eco Islands program draws on the successful experience and results of the project in Halki in the energy-based sector. The Kalkion Energy Community, the participation of residents and and the joint effort to tackle climate change are examples that other regions and countries in Europe can follow. This initiative was launched by the Ministry of Environment and Energy with the aim of sustainable development and empowerment of the green economy and cutting-edge technologies in order to address the climate change phenomenon.
Angelos Franakis, mayor of Halki, says that his city has entered the era of sustainability and has become a model of green economy. By adopting energy autonomy, digital innovation and green mobility, Halki has achieved a visible result with a 100% social milestone for the island and its people. The conversion to Green Island, the consumption of electricity from the photovoltaic park and the reduction of power bills after a year of application, prove that quality of life and well-being can be improved with hard work, collaboration, vision, charm, innovation and trust.
The Municipality of Halkis expresses its gratitude to a number of valuable individuals and organizations, who contributed to the successful implementation of an important project. In particular, they deserve warm congratulations to the Deputy Mayor of Economic Development of the Municipality of Halki and to the Chairman of the Board of the Halki Energy Community “Kalchion”, for their dedicated and selfless role in the project. At the same time, the municipality is grateful to the Greek Government, the Prime Minister. Mr. Mitsotakis, Minister of Environment and Energy Costas Skrekas, Secretary General for Energy and Natural Resources Alexandra Sudoku, the South Aegean Region, the Regional Archbishop Mr. Giorgio Hazimirko and many companies that cooperated in the implementation of the project, such as DEI, DEDDEE, OMECHOM VINCI ENERGIES, AKUO ENERGY GREECE, Spyropoulos S.A, the CITROEN ASSOCIATION GROUP, ALD Automotive, Vodafone, Papastratos, and all those who contributed to the above effort to implement the project.
