Kastoria, Greece. As part of its Social and Environmental Investment (SEI) programme, Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP AG) fully funded the construction of five photovoltaic parks (PV) in the Municipality of Kastoria, Western Macedonia, Greece, with a total installed capacity of 0.5MW and a value of approximately 700,000 euros.
The project has been realised in cooperation with the Local Land Management Organisations of Korisos – Lithia and Vasiliada – Stavropotamos – Melissotopos – Verga and will benefit approximately 2,000 people living within the neighbouring communities.
More specifically, 1,085 solar panels were installed in the communities of Korissos, Lithia, Vassiliada and Stavropotamos contributing to sustainable development, by offsetting the environmental footprint of irrigation in the area of Kastoria. The project, designed to enable net-metering, can allow local farmers to reduce irrigation-related energy costs and improve the efficiency of irrigation networks and processes, contributing to the market competitiveness of their agricultural products.
The nominal capacity of each PV park is 100kW, while the estimated annual electricity production and the return on a 25-year life cycle from each park are approximately 145,000 kWh and 3,250,000 kWh respectively.
The Regional Governor of Western Macedonia, George Kasapidis, welcomed the completion of the construction of the photovoltaic parks and thanked TAP for the good cooperation with the Region. He also underlined the significant contribution of this project to the sustainable development of the area, noting the important role of the Region of Western Macedonia in the energy transition of the country.
The Mayor of Kastoria, Ioannis Korentsidis, also referred to the benefits of the photovoltaic parks for the region, emphasising their contribution to the reduction of energy costs for farmers. At the same time, he thanked TAP for funding the initiative and the Local Land Organisations of Korisos – Lithia and Vassiliada – Stavropotamos – Melissotopos – Verga for their contribution to the implementation of the project.
The Presidents of the Local Land Organisations of Korisos – Lithia and Vassiliada – Stavropotamos – Melissotopos – Verga, Kouzinas Christos and Skleklios Kosmas, added that the implementation of this project significantly supports the smooth operation of the two Local Land Organisations, as, through the reduction of irrigation-related energy costs, they will be able to intensify their efforts to support their members’ farms.
Welcoming the completion of the project, Ioannis Maris, TAP Country Representative Greece, said: “The photovoltaic parks in Kastoria reflect TAP’s vision to contribute to a sustainable energy future, by addressing the development priorities of local communities in sustainable ways. Western Macedonia is among the focus areas of the Greek energy and environmental policy for sustainable investments, and we are happy to have supported an initiative that can contribute to the energy transition in this region.”
Vassiliki Sotiropoulou, TAP’s SEI Manager in Greece, added: “We are very pleased to have completed the implementation of this important project. The construction of the photovoltaic parks is in full alignment with SEI’s goals to enhance the quality of life of the local communities along the pipeline route, in a way that is sustainable and reflects the communities’ actual needs.”
