A question to the Minister of Environment and Energy was submitted on 14 May 2025 by the MP for Heraklion of PASOK - Movement for Change, Francis Parasyris, highlighting the serious concerns that have been raised in Kythera society about the installation of industrial wind farms in Natura 2000 sites.
In the question, the MEP recalls the judgment of the Court of Justice of the EU (C-849/19) for our country, due to the long-standing failure to adopt adequate protection measures for Natura sites. Although the Ministry of the Environment has proceeded with the preparation Special Environmental Assessments (SEAs) and the public consultation of the relevant Presidential Decree (P.D.) from October 2023, that plan remains posted for months, without being approved or published, raising questions about the government's intentions.
Mr Parasyris focuses in particular on the case of Kythera, stressing that the EPC recognises the the migratory importance of the island for Mediterranean birds, and proposes the a total ban on the installation of WFDs in Natura areas and on the island in general, because of its environmental value.
However, as the MEP points out, on 11 April 2025 an Environmental Impact Study (EIS) was submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources from a consortium of Greek and Arab funds which seeks to establish 115 wind turbines with a capacity of 135MW, on an island that covers just 277 square kilometres and consumes just 5MW, on average.
«The investment rush to “prevent” the adoption of the PD, combined with the procrastination of the Ministry of Environment, has caused a great deal of unrest in Kytheri», says Mr. Parasyris.
The questions that the Honourable Member asks the Minister:
- When it will be adopted and published the PDO that will prohibit the establishment of a BAT in Kythera, as foreseen in the EIA;
- Does the Ministry intend to approve the new RIA of the consortium which envisages 115 wind turbines within Natura2000 sites;
- What measures the government intends to take to protect the species and habitats of the Natura2000 network, taking into account European convictions;
The MEP calls on the Ministry of Environment to proceed immediately to institutional armouring of environmental policy, to stop the delays and to give clear answers about the fate of the IDP., before it is too late for the unique natural and cultural landscape of Kythera.
