The GR-eco Islands Program: An Innovative Model for the Energy Transition of Greek Islands

The GR-eco Islands program, launched by the Greek government, transforms the country’s islands into models of energy autonomy and sustainability through renewable energy and technological innovations. A flagship initiative in the fight against climate change.

Share:

Gain full professional access to energynews.pro from 4.90€/month.
Designed for decision-makers, with no long-term commitment.

Over 30,000 articles published since 2021.
150 new market analyses every week to decode global energy trends.

Monthly Digital PRO PASS

Immediate Access
4.90€/month*

No commitment – cancel anytime, activation in 2 minutes.

*Special launch offer: 1st month at the indicated price, then 14.90 €/month, no long-term commitment.

Annual Digital PRO Pass

Full Annual Access
99€/year*

To access all of energynews.pro without any limits

*Introductory annual price for year one, automatically renewed at 149.00 €/year from the second year.

The GR-eco Islands program, initiated by the Greek government in 2021, marks a major step forward in the nation’s energy transition. Designed to reduce dependency on fossil fuels, this ambitious project aims to transform Greek islands into models of environmental sustainability and energy autonomy.

The unique energy challenges faced by Greek islands, where supply relies heavily on oil-fired power plants, have led to high energy costs and significant greenhouse gas emissions. With a budget of €2 billion, financed by contributions from the Greek state, the European Union, and the European Investment Bank (EIB), the program aligns with the national strategy for achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

Goals and Priorities of the Program

The GR-eco Islands program is centered on four main objectives:

1. Energy transition: Develop local infrastructure based on renewable energy sources, particularly solar and wind power, to replace fossil fuels.
2. Energy autonomy: Enable islands to produce and manage their own energy, reducing reliance on the mainland grid.
3. Green economy: Promote sustainable practices in local economic sectors such as tourism and agriculture.
4. Digital innovation: Integrate smart technologies to optimize resource management and public services.

Pilot Projects: Toward Concrete Impact

Several Greek islands have been selected as pilot sites to test the program’s initial phases. Among them:

– Chalki: The first island to inaugurate a photovoltaic power plant with a 1 MWp capacity, meeting the residents’ energy needs. Electric vehicles and smart public lighting systems have also been introduced.
– Astypalea: In partnership with Volkswagen, this island is focusing on sustainable mobility, including electric vehicles and charging infrastructure.
– Poros: This island plans to install solar panels, electrify maritime transportation, and improve waste management.

These initiatives have reduced greenhouse gas emissions and local energy costs while improving residents’ quality of life.

Structured Financing and Strategic Partnerships

The GR-eco Islands program relies on close collaboration between the Greek government, European institutions, and private partners. Projects are evaluated for technical and economic feasibility before receiving financial support. Rigorous control mechanisms ensure the transparent and effective use of funds.

Expected Impact: A Sustainable Future for Greek Islands

The program aims to significantly reduce carbon emissions, lower energy costs for residents, and stimulate the local economy through more environmentally friendly practices. By positioning Greek islands as models of sustainability and innovation, this initiative represents a significant step forward in the global fight against climate change.

Aspen Power has finalised the acquisition of two community solar projects totalling over 1 MWdc in New Jersey, developed by Ecogy Energy, with construction expected to begin shortly.
Octopus Energy strengthens its presence in Spain with three new energy projects totalling 600 MW, powering 2.3 million households and accelerating the expansion of its European renewables portfolio.
VSB Italy has obtained authorisation to build a 6.2 MW agrivoltaic plant in Città della Pieve, combining solar power generation and agricultural cultivation on 10.6 hectares.
Ameren Missouri announces a 250 MW solar project to power 44,000 homes, reducing delays and costs through strategic development on company-owned land.
Verso Energy has inaugurated an experimental solar power plant in Outarville, testing the integration of photovoltaic panels across three hectares of large-scale crops with a 90% self-consumption rate.
Independent power producer R.Power is selling a 440MW ready-to-build photovoltaic portfolio in Poland, as political uncertainties drive a wave of divestments in the national renewable energy market.
Grenergy has finalised the sale of the fourth phase of its hybrid solar-storage project in Chile to CVC DIF, valued at up to $475mn, while retaining operation and maintenance for five years.
Q ENERGY secures financing for 252 MW of solar projects in Spain, marking its first independent power producer operation on the Iberian Peninsula.
Norwegian group Scatec has signed a power sales agreement with BTG Pactual for its first solar project in Colombia, representing an estimated $110mn investment.
New solar installations rose 64% year-on-year, driven by China, which accounted for more than two-thirds of global deployed capacity.
Virya Energy invests EUR2mn in a photovoltaic plant at the Oncopole park-and-ride in Toulouse, marking a 30-year partnership with Tisséo to strengthen the city’s energy self-consumption.
ACWA Power has signed an agreement with the Syrian Ministry of Energy to assess up to 2,500 MW of solar, wind and storage projects, along with a technical audit of the national grid and existing infrastructure.
GreenYellow is installing several photovoltaic plants and an energy storage system on Altarea's logistics platforms in Bollène and Puceul, through a 30-year PPA contract fully financed by the company.
Ascent Solar Technologies has signed an agreement with Star Catcher Industries to enhance in-orbit power generation by combining lightweight photovoltaic technology with wireless energy transmission.
NextWave Energy Monitoring integrated 529 megawatts of Cenergy solar projects into its PVPulse platform, including the largest 300 MW photovoltaic plant equipped with its monitoring system.
Solar panel imports into Africa reached 15,032 MW in one year, setting a record and marking an expansion beyond South Africa, according to the energy research organisation Ember.
Ferrovial will launch a 250 MW solar plant in Texas for $355mn, expanding its US energy portfolio and creating around 300 jobs during the construction phase.
The 4.99 MW floating solar power plant in Cebu supplies the Carmen Copper mining site, covering about 10% of its energy needs, with connection to the national grid now effective.
Four photovoltaic plants totaling 50 MW will be built in Benin by Axian Energy and Sika Capital to strengthen the share of renewables in the country’s energy mix.
Developer Qair secures a loan from the Facility for Energy Inclusion to build a 5.8 MWp floating photovoltaic solar plant in Providence Lagoon, the first utility-scale project of its kind in Seychelles.

Log in to read this article

You'll also have access to a selection of our best content.