Greece and Germany launch close cooperation in the field of renewable energy
In Berlin on March 27 2013 the State Secretary at the Federal Environment Ministry, Jürgen Becker, signed a joint declaration of intent with the Greek Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Climate Change (YPEKA) and the EU Commission's Task Force for Greece on strengthening cooperation in the field of renewable energies.
The Joint Declaration of Intent on Technical Assistance on the Reform of the Greek Renewable Energy Sector marks the launch of a close cooperation between Germany, Greece and the EU Commission's Task Force for Greece which aims to improve conditions for the expansion of renewable energy in Greece. The cooperation will help Greece to profit both from the recent fall in technology costs, especially in the photovoltaics sector, and from Germany and the EU's experience in the renewable energy sector, thus making the country fitter to address the challenges of renewable energy expansion. At the signing of the joint declaration of intent, State Secretary Becker emphasised the potential and opportunities offered by expanding renewable energy in Greece. "Over the years Germany has gained valuable experience in promoting renewable energy. In the last two years we have more than halved support costs for photovoltaics to the current level of between 11 and 16 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh)."
Although Greece has far more solar radiation than Germany, its support costs for photovoltaics are significantly higher. This is because the framework conditions can still be improved. The EU Commission's Task Force for Greece also underlined the importance of the project: "If we work together to improve conditions in Greece, the country can soon become a model of renewable electricity generation which can practically compete with conventional sources. Energy policy in the whole of Europe will benefit from this."
The project, scheduled to last up to three years, is an important element of the European Commission's assistance package for Greece. The Task Force for Greece aims to help stimulate investment in various branches by providing technical assistance.
The Task Force for Greece stressed: "If we set the right course, renewable energy can provide vital impetus for growth in Greece." State Secretary Becker added: "In Germany, we have already created around 380,000 jobs through renewable energies. In 2011 alone, we avoided fossil energy imports amounting to 25 billion euros through the combined use of renewable energies and energy efficiency measures. This highlights the potential contained in the expansion of renewables. For the Greek islands especially, renewable energy can be a real alternative to expensive diesel generators."
Within the framework of the EU Task Force for Greece, the Federal Environment Ministry has taken on the role of Domain Leader for the field of renewable energy. Together with the European Commission, the ministry will finance the first phase of the project until 2015.