A significant renewable energy initiative is set to unfold in western Greece, with plans for the nation’s largest publicly owned cooperative solar power plant located in the region of Aetolia-Acarnania. This project aims to enhance energy affordability while providing substantial support to the agricultural sector.
The proposed 105 MW solar facility is anticipated to be among the largest virtual net-metering schemes in Europe. Approximately 147,000 farmers are expected to benefit from reduced electricity costs once the facility becomes operational, addressing a critical need for lower energy expenses in the agricultural community.
Beyond its agricultural implications, the project carries a robust social dimension. It is projected that around 17,000 vulnerable households will receive complimentary electricity through this initiative, highlighting its dual function as both an energy transition effort and a mechanism for social support.
This ambitious project was made feasible through new legislation enacted by the Greek Ministry of Environment and Energy, which has received parliamentary approval. Minister Stavros Papastavrou emphasized that this investment marks a pivotal step in Greece’s energy transition and enhances the strategic importance of western Greece within the national energy framework.
Authorities estimate that consumers participating in this scheme could see reductions in their electricity bills of up to 62% once fully operational. This reduction underscores the project’s potential impact on energy affordability for local residents.
Funding for the initiative will partly come from the Western Greece Regional Operational Program, which has earmarked €25 million for this solar venture. The plant will be established on state-owned land in Mesolongi, provided by the Ministry of Agricultural Development, covering an area of approximately 130 hectares.
The overall project value is projected to be between €70 million and €120 million, depending on current European utility-scale solar construction costs. As experts analyze the scale of development, they anticipate that licensing, tendering, and construction phases will span from two to four years.
