New Landmark Above the Mountains: China - Greece Cooperation Propels Greece's Green Energy Transformation

ATHENS, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) --

Feature: New Landmark Above the Mountains: China - Greece Cooperation Propels Greece's Green Energy Transformation

By Chen Gang, Xinhua News Agency

On the mountains in the Thrace region of northern Greece, four wind farms have become local landmark buildings. The Thrace Wind Power Project led by Guohua Investment Europe Co., Ltd. of China Energy Investment Corporation is an epitome of the cooperation between China and Greece in the field of renewable energy. This project is providing important impetus for Greece to accelerate its energy transformation and reduce carbon emissions.

On the eve of the International Clean Energy Day, Wu Bate, Deputy General Manager of Guohua Investment Europe Co., Ltd., told Xinhua in an interview that the Thrace Wind Power Project was launched after China and Greece signed a memorandum of understanding on Belt and Road cooperation in 2018. It is the first wind power project invested by China in Greece. The project consists of four wind farms with a total of 34 wind turbines and a total installed capacity of 78.2 megawatts.

Since the Thrace Wind Power Project started operating in 2019, it has generated approximately 160 million kilowatt - hours of electricity annually, meeting the electricity needs of more than 30,000 Greek households. Wu Bate said that this project reduces approximately 150,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually, saves 53,000 tons of standard coal, equivalent to planting 360,000 trees, making significant contributions to promoting Greece's energy transformation.

Konstantinos Loukidhis, Development Manager of Guohua Investment Europe Co., Ltd., said that Greece's geographical location and natural conditions provide unique advantages for the development of renewable energy such as photovoltaics and wind energy. He also highly commended the cooperation between the two countries in the field of renewable energy, believing that the development of renewable energy projects can optimize Greece's energy structure, enhance energy independence, and reduce fossil fuel imports. This can not only effectively reduce energy costs but also promote investment and innovation, create more job opportunities, and thus boost economic growth.

Greece has accelerated its transformation towards renewable energy in recent years. According to the latest revised energy and climate plan of the Greek government, the share of renewable energy in power generation will increase to 75% by 2030 and further to 95% by 2035. Statistical data from the Hellenic Wind Energy Association shows that wind power accounted for 23.5% of Greece's total power generation in 2023.

At present, Chinese enterprises including China Energy Investment Corporation and China Three Gorges Corporation are actively involved in the investment and construction of the renewable energy sector in Greece. The cooperation between China and Greece not only effectively promotes the green transformation of both sides but also injects vitality into the economic development of both countries.