Municipalities in Greece to install 1 GW of solar power to supply poor households

Subsidies for photovoltaics are becoming the main axis of the efforts in Greece to tackle energy poverty. The government is preparing EUR 120 million for municipal authorities to install a total of 1 GW.

The Ministry of Environment and Energy in Athens is nearing the completion of a municipal subsidy program for the installation of solar power facilities, Energypress reported. The aim is to use at least half of the output as cheap electricity for vulnerable households, the article adds.

The rest would be for educational and sports institutions and utilities controlled by local authorities, according to unnamed sources familiar with the matter. It means kindergartens, schools, public venues, operators of public lighting systems, health centers and water and sewerage networks would get much lower power bills.

The fund in the making is envisaged to provide EUR 120 million to local authorities

The news outlet has learned that the scheme would be worth EUR 120 million. The funds are reportedly intended to support the projects for 1 GW in solar power capacity, both on roofs and available ground surfaces.

The government has identified 30,000 households at risk of energy poverty. They are the ones that would initially benefit from the upcoming mechanism. It is intended to be run by the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (HRADF or, in Greek, TAIPED). It manages some infrastructure companies under the government’s control and minority stakes in domestic firms.

The article reveals that local authorities would need to establish energy communities or participate in them to be able to apply for the funds. It adds that there is a possibility that municipal governments would be required to reorganize their enterprises.

Otherwise, except for modest capacities on rooftops of public buildings, municipal photovoltaic parks and other renewable electricity plants are a new concept in the country. Notably, such initiatives are popping up in other countries in Southeastern Europe as well, while in Turkey they are already mainstream.