Funds from renewable energy projects—including wind farms, solar parks, small hydroelectric plants, and biomass units—are set to provide significant financial support to both local communities and household electricity consumers.
According to the Hellenic Wind Energy Association (ELETAEN), of the total amount, €16.5 million will be directly credited to electricity accounts of household consumers in the designated areas, while the remaining €24.7 million will be allocated to the respective municipalities for local development initiatives.
ELETAEN highlights that 79% of the total funds—over €32.6 million—come from wind farms. These funds are derived from a special levy supporting local communities, equivalent to 3% of renewable energy projects’ turnover, automatically withheld from payments to producers under current legislation.
The process of crediting the €16.5 million to consumers’ electricity accounts is expected to begin once the official beneficiary list, published by the Ministry of Environment and Energy (YPEN), is finalized.
Top Beneficiary Municipalities
The largest allocations go to municipalities hosting significant wind energy capacity:
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Karystos, Euboea: €7.8 million
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Thiva, Boeotia: €3.2 million
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Arriana, Rhodope: €1.6 million
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Tanagra, Boeotia: €1.5 million
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Kozani: €1.3 million
Residents of smaller communities will also see substantial benefits. Communities with the highest household allocations include Komito, Euboea (€926,000), Hydra (€361,000), Thisvi, Boeotia (€312,000), Platanisto, Euboea (€334,000), and Stuppaia, Euboea (€317,000).
ELETAEN expressed satisfaction that the State continues to implement this important measure supporting local communities hosting renewable energy projects. The association also reaffirmed its commitment to assist the Ministry of Environment and Energy in accelerating processes to ensure that payments to beneficiaries are made more regularly and efficiently.
