Gov’t revising energy objectives

The government is distancing itself from the overambitious goals set by the European Union for the green transition, evaluating the effects on the growth of the Greek economy, the fiscal margins for the subsidies required to achieve these goals, and the endurance of households.

After the rejection at the recent Council of Environment Ministers by Secretary-General Petros Varelidis (who represented Minister Thodoros Skylakakis) to the proposal for a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, the ministry is readjusting the objectives of the National Energy and Climate Plan (ESEK), cutting a range of targets, with the exception of renewables.

The need to readjust the goals included in the ESEK, submitted to the EU last December, emerged as their implementation was found to limit Greek growth to 0.6% on average over the next 25 years.

The ministry has...