Greece will build its largest public cooperative solar park near Missolonghi, a cornerstone project for the nation’s energy transition. The initiative was formally institutionalized last Thursday through legislation passed in Parliament.
This project marks a pivotal shift in the energy landscape of Western Greece. The government says that once operational, it is projected to slash energy costs by up to 62% for its beneficiaries, providing vital energy security to 147,000 farmers and residents.
Beyond its economic impact, the park carries a profound social mandate: it will provide free electricity to 17,000 vulnerable households and positively impact nearly 300,000 residents across twelve regional municipalities.
With a planned capacity of 105 MW, the facility will become the largest public “virtual net metering” project in Greece and one of the most significant of its kind in Europe.
The site is located on public land at the Polder estate in Missolonghi, which was granted to the Region of Western Greece by the Ministry of Rural Development. Financial backing is already in motion, with €25 million allocated through the Regional Operational Program of Western Greece.
“By establishing the country’s largest public cooperative solar park right here in Western Greece, we are ensuring 147,000 farmers benefit and 17,000 vulnerable families receive free electricity,” Minister of Environment and Energy, Stavros Papastavrou said.
“We are boosting development, ensuring energy security, and lowering the cost of living for our citizens,” he added.
Regional Governor Nektarios Farmakis stressed: “A long-standing vision for Western Greece is finally becoming a reality. Our responsibility now is to move swiftly into the implementation phase to deliver significant energy relief to hundreds of thousands of our citizens.”
Related: Greece’s €30 Billion Energy Expansion Raises Big Stakes and Bigger Questions
