2024-03-22 05:39:21
The Environment Committee tends to develop into… an industry of negative opinions on Renewable Energy projects, not unfairly to a large extent, as the absence of a spatial planning framework and the numerous licenses from the RAE do not allow to distinguish “the chaff from the wheat”.
On the other hand, despite claims to the contrary, there are very few cases where local communities, either through municipalities or through other collective bodies, are positive in “accepting” RES projects, even if there are no scientifically documented objections.
The problem is obviously created by the “anarchy” that prevails, due to the absence of spatial planning, but also the small retributive benefits for local communities, in contrast to the profits of large companies that have indulged in a “street race” to exploit every of land, air and water.
With piecemeal discussions, without anyone knowing the number, sizes and results of RES projects regarding the energy balance, at least at the level of the Region, the situation that has been created is “a cliff ahead and a stream behind”.
Thus, the decisions of the Environment Committee in recent times have changed direction and almost always stand on the side of the opposing local communities, knowing that the retributive benefits resulting from the legislation are not significant enough to even risk a political decision, however rather a technical failure.
A typical example was the discussion regarding a small hydroelectric project on the Kalarritiko river, with a capacity of 1.5 MW, which however comes to be added to other similar projects that have been licensed or are underway in the area.
The official recommendation was positive, but the chairman of the Commission, like all the members, coalition and opposition, were negative, accepting the objections that have been expressed by the relevant municipality and the local community.
In fact, in this particular case, the investing company was willing to grant the Municipality of Northern Tzoumerka a licensed small hydroelectric plant in Matsoukiotikos, as a return benefit, which was not accepted.
According to the president of the Patriotic Association of Kalarritons “I Pindos” Natasa Pazaitis, who also represented three other cultural associations, the local community is opposed, as the project is located in a forest area, close to the Kipinas Monastery, while the entire project is located in a Natura area and in the 3rd zone of the National Park. “The environmental cost will be greater than any benefit arising from the production of electricity”, he noted and added that there will be serious impacts, such as deforestation, nuisance and the risk of extinction of protected species.
The chairman of the Commission, deputy regional governor, Vassilis Gorgolis, stood by the negative opinion of the Municipality, pointing out that the preponderance of energy and environmental advantages for the study area is not documented and the effects of climate change in the place of water abstraction and ecological supply have not been taken into account. More generally, however, he noted that investors should be in contact with local communities during their planning in order to attempt a broader consensus, while also emphasizing the benefits that can arise from the energy communities that they could set up themselves the local communities. On the same wavelength was a placement of Epirus regional governor Alexandros Kahrimanis in the Regional Committee, which had preceded it. “Companies must discuss with the local communities and not act as if the Germans are coming again,” he said.
On the other hand, representing the company, the researcher Dimitris Dimitriou noted that the eight positive opinions on the project from public bodies, including the services of the Ministry of Culture, the water service, the forest office and OFYPEKA, prove that they have been taken into account all parameters.
The second project, which was discussed in the Committee and highlights the above concerns and mainly the lack of spatial planning, is the large wind farm, with a capacity of 44 MW and its accompanying projects, in the “Garden” location, in the area of Xerovouni. The project is part of the administrative boundaries of the Municipalities of Dodoni, Boreia Tzoumerka, Ziros and Ioannito, with the first two having filed negative opinions.
For the specific project, Mr. Gorgolis underlined that, according to the Service’s recommendation, no wind data is recorded, while it is not recommended to locate wind turbines on the ridges of the mountain ranges of the P.E. Thesprotia and Preveza, which are adjacent to the wide zones of tourist development.
It is worth noting that this project comes after the licensing of another one, in the same area, with the implementation and operation body of the same company, as stated by an official, answering a question from regional councilor Haris Liouris regarding the issue of access and road openings . It is typical that for the installation of the wind turbines it will be necessary to open a road several meters wide and more than 20 kilometers long, while of course a livestock farmer will be penalized if he opens a road of one meter to get to his facilities.
Finally, the Committee gave a negative opinion on a small hydroelectric project, with a capacity of 0.418 MW on the Aspropotamos stream of the Municipality of Konitsa, while, following a request, the discussion on a small hydroelectric project in Gerakari – Arachthos River, with a capacity of 6.256 MW, was postponed of T.K. of Krapsi and Eastern of the Municipality of Ioannito.
Other opinions
The Committee gave a positive opinion on the content of M.P.E. for increasing the capacity of a poultry farm from 20,000 to 40,000 broiler chickens in Kato Lapsista, for the installation of a poultry farm with a capacity of 22,000 broiler chickens in the location “Haliki” of T.K. Oropou Preveza, for the establishment of a poultry farm of 39,000 broiler chickens at the location “Ftheri” in the Postal Code Marmaron (subject to conditions) and for an existing mixed livestock unit with a capacity of 33,050 broiler chickens and 20 free-range cows in Kalpaki.
He also gave a positive opinion to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications for a new 5* hotel unit, with a capacity of 102 beds, in a field outside the plan at the location “Sofas- Kato Perama” of D.E. Perdikas Thesprotia and in a new 4* hotel unit, with a capacity of 144 beds, in the same location.
Finally, the Region’s participation in the Digital Technology and Innovation Exhibition “Beyond 2024” in Thessaloniki (25-27/04/2024) was approved.