In Parliament for the second time, after PASOK, reaches the intense concern that has been caused in the local community of Kythera by the imminent installation of three industrial wind farms in areas of the island within the Natura 2000 network.
In a parliamentary question to the Minister of Environment and Energy, SY.RIZ.A - P.S. MP Miltos Zambaras asks for explanations on how the licensing process of a project of such a scale - 30 wind turbines with a total capacity of 135MW - is proceeding in the midst of an institutional gap, as critical tools such as the Special Environmental Study and the Local Urban Plan are delayed.
The MP points out that the project of Terna, which is being promoted through fast track procedures, is in conflict both with the unanimous decision of the Kythera Municipal Council from 2020, which rejects the industrial development of the area, and with the expectations of the local community for a different energy transition through Energy Communities.
The question also highlights the lack of consultation with local government, the long-standing delays in the institutional protection of Natura sites, and the political choice to favour large investment schemes at the expense of local democracy and sustainability.
The full text of the question is as follows:
To the Minister of Environment and Energy
Subject: And Kythera on the altar of big companies
Great upheaval has been created in Kythera by the government's decision to allow the installation of three huge industrial wind farms.
The Ministry of Environment has proceeded to a public consultation of the Environmental Impact Study for a project of TERNA concerning three industrial wind power plants with 30 wind turbines of 4.5MW with a rotor diameter of 136m and a height of 82m and a total capacity of 135MW.
The site of the installation will be in the north and north-west of the Kythera islands, in an area of Natura 2000.
While our country has been condemned by the European Court of Justice since 2020 for the delay of the Special Environmental Study (SEE) for the management of Natura 2000 sites and while the Presidential Decree for its approval by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources is pending, the government is rushing to proceed with the procedure to give permission for this pharaonic project (Ministry C-849/2019).
The deliberate delay of the Special Environmental Study (SEE) proves the government's choice to favour the investment since the SEE of the area excludes Industrial Wind Farms as a use.
In addition, the local government and citizens have appealed for the producer's permits as the installation is in conflict with the Local Urban Plan that is under development and of course it is delayed as well as the Special Spatial Plan of RES.
This facility is planned to be located on land owned by the Municipality of Kythera - Antikythera which since 2020 by a unanimous decision of the Municipal Council excludes such use (Ap. 21/25/02/2020).
The Municipality as well as the local stakeholders are in favour of the establishment of Energy Communities such as the one they are establishing, but they cannot secure terms of connection when in other huge projects the terms of connection are given by fast track procedures, by political choice of the government.
Because, once again there is no consultation with local stakeholders, residents and local government,
Because, it is now obvious that for six years now, the delay of protection and zoning rules has been a methodical approach, in order to serve specific interests and to give local communities a fait accompli.
Will the Minister responsible say:
- Does it intend to take into account the will of the local community and local government in the evaluation process? In what way?;
- When it intends to complete the approval of the Special Environmental Study for the Management of the Natura 2000 sites in Kythera by means of an EP, that has been festering for six years under the sole responsibility of the Ministry?;
- When does he intend to complete the new Special Spatial planning Renewable Energy Plan, which has also been stuck in cancer for six years under the sole responsibility of the Ministry? Will it include the term agreement with the local authorities for projects in their area;
- Plans to proceed to the provision Terms connection to the Energy Community of Kythera;
The Questioning Member of Parliament
Zambaras Miltiades (Miltos)
