LAST UPDATE: 17.42
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told Reuters in an interview that Greece, a gas entry point for the eastern Mediterranean, could play a key role in achieving Europe’s energy autonomy, given our country’s position and investment, such as the new northern liquefied natural gas terminal.
In the aftermath of the war in Ukraine, the European Union is looking for new gas routes and alternative energy resources, as the bloc seeks to reduce its dependence on Russian gas due to soaring energy prices.
“When it comes to gas from the eastern Mediterranean, I think we have to look at all the options and find the most efficient way to transport gas from Cyprus or Israel to the European market,” Mitsotakis told Reuters. .
“Whatever solution one envisions, this will definitely include Greece,” said the prime minister from Astypalea.
According to the agency, Greece has a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal and plans to build two more LNG facilities, one of which is floating off Alexandroupolis.
Greece is expanding its electricity grid to be able to make more use of renewable energy sources (RES). A gas connection with Bulgaria is also expected to be ready next month, the prime minister noted.
Several European countries have reported that they are looking for ways to expand LNG imports and storage after the outbreak of war, as well as import gas from other markets and speed up the transition to RES.
Mr. Mitsotakis traveled to Astypalea to oversee a project started by the government and the German Volkswagen a year ago to replace all vehicles on the island with electric cars.
Future
“What you see here is a look into the future,” he said.
The report emphasizes that the Prime Minister has said that natural gas is only a transitional fuel and is committed to enhancing the use of RES. “Mr Mitsotakis hopes that Astypalea, which is slowly turning into a green island, could become a model for all Greek islands,” Reuters added.
“The wind and sun we have here produce the cheapest possible electricity and they are plentiful. We do not have to rely on anyone else,” he said.
Mr. Mitsotakis stated that he is confident that Greece will not face electricity shortages during the summer, the peak period of tourism, when the demand for electricity for air conditioners is particularly high. How the industry will fare, a quarter of Greece’s production, is crucial for a country still emerging from the debt crisis.
RES, both wind turbines and photovoltaics, will operate at full capacity, he said, and Greece, which is moving away from coal, still has some coal-fired power plants and sufficient gas reserves to generate electricity. .
With a large percentage of Greece’s electricity mix coming from natural gas, Athens has adopted measures worth about 7 billion euros to help consumers cope with high electricity bills, but Mr Mitsotakis is pushing for a solution. EU level, notes Reuters.
“I am afraid this will not be enough unless we have a more drastic and lasting solution,” he said, acknowledging that a common European course was “not always easy”.
Mr. Mitsotakis also visited the islands of Kos and Pserimos, just a few kilometers from Turkey.
Tensions between the two countries, which are arguing – among other things – over research rights in the eastern Mediterranean, have rekindled. Mr Mitsotakis said this week that the last thing the region needed was another source of tension, the paper said.
Asked if relations could be improved, he said: “I think it is up to Turkey to change its behavior. We have never been the ones to go overboard in terms of aggression.”
Source: Capital
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