The newly proposed National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) incorporates significant changes to the energy landscape as it has been shaped thus far, the most critical being the complete phase-out of lignite from the Greek system by the final year of 2028. This fact constitutes a dominant element for the areas of lignite activity (Western Macedonia, Megalopoli), which in a period of less than ten years (essentially three years!) are called upon to restructure their productive model, entailing significant economic and social impacts.
The proposed NECP provides for the commitment to draft Master Plan for the lignite phase-out in mid-2020, without any reference to the core structure of the policies and measures that will comprise it. Furthermore, taking into account the statements made by the Public Power Corporation (PPC) regarding the cessation of operations of the lignite units by 2023, with the exception of Ptolemaida 5, the requirement for the immediate implementation of coordinated measures to support the regions is imperative and must be referenced in the NECP. To prevent an irreversible situation in Western Macedonia, following the completion of the Master Plan there must be whatever planning by the Public Power Corporation (PPC), with the contribution of the energy companies in the basin as well. More specifically, the planned creation of large photovoltaic parks on the mine deposits ties up expanses of land with zero contribution to employment, an objective which the Master Plan aims precisely and dominantly to address [a relevant intervention on this issue was made by the Technical Chamber of Greece – Western Macedonia Section (TEE/TDM)[1] in March 2018].
Despite the reference to immediate national resources and the demand for increased capital from the Just Transition Fund, the NECP contains no reference to the cost of the lignite phase-out or the cost of the investments that will be required for the transition of the regions to whatever new productive model. While reference is made to a Special Account for the Just Transition of lignite regions, there is no mention of the estimated amount, and the provision for the use of any potential surplus for the period 2021-2030 requires further clarification.
Taking into account that the Governmental Committee for Energy and Climate is tasked with the entirety of the measures and actions for achieving the targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the energy transition, it is considered advisable to record, from the outset, the communication and collaboration with individual bodies, as in the case of the lignite phase-out regions. Furthermore, it would be advisable to reference the relationship between the Monitoring Mechanism of the NECP and the Governmental Committee with the Regional Operational Programmes (ROPs) and the regional objectives.
It is noted that while, for issues regarding the upgrading and transformation of other energy sectors, Greece’s participation to date in mechanisms, projects and collaborations is utilised, the NECP does not contain a reference to the project of the European Commission [by the SRSS] which is being developed for Western Macedonia and concerns its transition process into conditions of low lignite dependence.
It is also noted that there is no reference in the NECP to the operation of the European Platform for Coal Regions in Transition, in which the Region of Western Macedonia participates, and which constitutes a dominant institutional initiative of the European Commission to support the transition.
Reference is made to a strategic reserve mechanism and the non-dismantling of units of the power generation system. Since, as in the previous NECP proposal, a list of the units and the forecasts for operation and withdrawal is not included, it is proposed to make a clear reference to the units that will be included in this mechanism.
It is proposed to include in the NECP clear and immediate measures concerning the support for the operation of the district heating systems in the region of Western Macedonia and provisions for the amortisation of their equipment.
Dipl. Electrical Engineer
