The new Special Spatial Framework for Renewable Energy Sources (SPF-RES) and the Strategic Environmental Impact Study (SEIS) are open for public consultation until 24 June 2026, following an invitation by the Secretary General of Spatial Planning and Urban Environment. The new framework revises the previous 2008 scheme, attempting to balance the urgent need for a transition to green energy with the protection of the natural and cultural environment.
The Main Objectives of the New Spatial Plan
The revised RES-E framework sets as a primary objective the achievement of national and European commitments to tackle climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, by increasing the penetration of RES in gross final consumption. At the same time, it seeks to:
The updating of the categorisation of the national territory for the spatial organisation of RES.
Identifying suitable development sites, taking into account demand, existing networks and environmental sensitivity.
The integration of new technologies (such as offshore wind farms, geothermal energy, biomass and energy storage) that in previous years had little presence.
The protection of the landscape and the regulation of the relationship of RES with potentially competing sectors, in order to achieve complementary relationships.
Wind installations: The Exclusion Areas
One of the most critical chapters of the plan is the designation of Exclusion Areas, where the siting of wind facilities is explicitly prohibited. According to the Draft EIS, these zones include:
The declared World Heritage Sites and the designated archaeological protection zones A.
Absolute nature protection zones and Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar).
The core national parks and declared nature monuments.
The priority habitats of the priority habitats of the Natura 2000 network.
The areas designated as Landscapes of Outstanding Natural Beauty (SSSIs).
Islands with an area of less than 300 square kilometres (excluding exclusively public infrastructure such as desalination plants).
Areas with an altitude of more than 1,200 metres and designated “Roadless Areas”.
Bathing beaches and areas within city plans or settlement boundaries.
On the other hand, “Suitability Areas” are defined on the mainland (where wind potential exceeds 4 m/sec) and “Acceleration Areas” for faster development and interconnection of projects.
Solar, Geothermal Energy and Small Hydro (HPP)
The bill specifies zoning for the other forms as well:
Photovoltaics (Solar Energy): Priority is given to barren or non-irrigated land and to areas that have been degraded (e.g. repaid quarries and lignite fields). At the same time, Natura 2000 protected areas, forests and woodlands are explicitly excluded.
NIEO: Strict restrictions are imposed and they are excluded from traditional settlements, historic centres, Landscapes of Special Natural Beauty and national park cores.
Geothermal and Biomass: For biomass and biogas, the location near agricultural/livestock farms or landfills is encouraged for the direct use of the raw material.
Environmental Footprint (EIA)
The Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment concludes that the project has a strong positive impact on reducing air pollutant emissions, halting climate change, making the country energy self-sufficient and creating jobs. However, it acknowledges potential small to moderate negative impacts on landscape and biodiversity, which can be prevented and drastically mitigated by strict adherence to the statutory exclusion zones, ensuring minimum ecological flow (for hydropower) and proper design of accompanying projects (e.g. undergrounding of cables in sensitive areas).
The Next Day
With the investment interest for RES installations (mainly Photovoltaic and Wind) dominating, occupying approximately 91% of the interest according to the data of RAAEY, the finalization of the new ERA-RES after the consultation of June 2026 is expected to be the decisive «map» for the energy and spatial transition of Greece in the coming decades.
The consultation link is:
https://ypen.gov.gr/diavouleusi/forums/topic/dimosia-diavoyleysi-epi-toy-eidikoy-chorotaxikoy-plaisioy-gia-tis-ananeosimes-piges-energeias-kai-tis-stratigikis-meletis-perivallontikon-epiptoseon-smpe-aytoy/
And the relevant files:
RDF RES (archives)
