On 18 October 2024, the Athens Court of Appeal will hear the applications for annulment of the installation of wind farms by TERNA ENERGY in Kythera, in NATURA 2000 areas. Residents, local stakeholders and the Municipality of Kythera are opposing the projects, stressing that the projects threaten the natural and environmental value of the island, as well as the migration route of millions of birds. Read the press release of the Citizens' Movement:
CITIZENS' MOVEMENT OF KYTHERA - PRESS OFFICE
On 18-10- 2024 are heard at the Athens Court of Appeal the applications for the cancellation of the electricity production licenses from industrial wind power plants granted to TERNA ENERGY concerning the areas WITHIN THE NETWORK NATOURA 2000, Kordellides (area above Rootsounas beach in the northern part of the island) and Xerocampia (area west of the settlement of Petrouni). An additional licence is for the area of Finikies (west of Logothetianika) which is 700 metres from the NATOURA 2000 site. These are projects with a total capacity of 132 megawatts, with wind turbines ranging in size from 120 to 250 m. In addition to the K.I.P.A., numerous citizens and associations of the island, the Municipality of Kythera and the Commission of Inherent Property have also taken legal action on these cases. Due to their relevance, the applications for annulment may be heard on the same day.
A few months ago, the Special Environmental Study (SEE) for the Attica Region was completed for the areas of the NATOURA 2000 network including the NATOURA (land and sea) areas of Kythera and Antikythera, following an order from the Deputy Minister of Environment. The Hellenic Republic was condemned in December 2020 by the European Court of Justice because for several years (at least since 2012) it had not carried out the preparation of these studies.
According to the study, the geographical location of Kythera, in southwestern Greece, at the southernmost tip of the Balkan peninsula, is a very important «migratory bottleneck» in the central-eastern Mediterranean for millions of birds that make their annual migration during the spring months from wintering grounds in the African continent to Eurasia and vice versa during the autumn months. Moreover, the production of energy from industrial wind power stations should, according to the study, be prohibited in the areas of the NATOURA 2000 network and in the island in general, as it is completely incompatible with its environmental value and poses a very serious threat to the protected object.
In an organised State such Production Licences should not be given to investors forcing small communities like ours to demand their self-evident right and the cancellation of these projects. We are convinced that if not by the decision of the Athens Court of Appeal, soon these three energy projects of the company TERNA ENERGY will suffer the fate of the other five projects of the ELLAKTOR and COPELOIZOS groups that were recently withdrawn by decision of the investors.
The legal expenses were covered by a number of citizens who have deposited money in the special account of the Kythera Culture and Development Foundation (K.I.P.A.). In order to continue the legal fight and in the Council of State (Council of State) if necessary, it is necessary to continue the supply of any small or large amount of money to this account of the K.I.P.A.
For each deposit of an amount, a corresponding receipt will be issued and sent to the depositor.
National Bank: 380/002419-84
ΙΒΑΝ: GR2301103800000038000241984
BIC: ETHNGRAA
