Energy democracy takes off in Greece • With energy prices in Greece among the highest in Europe, Greek citizens are grabbing new opportunities to generate their own energy. But problems such as a lack of grid space persist.
by Naurgul
Energy democracy takes off in Greece • With energy prices in Greece among the highest in Europe, Greek citizens are grabbing new opportunities to generate their own energy. But problems such as a lack of grid space persist.
by Naurgul
1 comment
Απόσπασμα:
Hyperion, the first democratic [renewable-energy community](https://www.dw.com/en/energy-communities/t-68157570) in Athens, closely resembles one of [Germany’s progressive energy cooperatives](https://www.dw.com/en/german-town-siegburg-pioneers-new-model-for-renewable-energy/a-67872004). And the idea behind it is much the same as with those in Germany, too: namely, to create a democratic collective that produces renewable energy for the cooperative’s members and for others in the greater community.
With 50% more solar irradiation per square meter than Germany, Greece has some of the highest potential for renewable energy in Europe. Indeed, the country is ranked one of the most [attractive investment opportunities for renewable energy in the world](https://www.enterprisegreece.gov.gr/newsletters/newsletter-articles/greece-ranked-as-top-destination-for-renewable-energy-investments/).
But Hyperion and the energy cooperative movement across Greece are about more than just clean energy. “We’re the best possible solution for the climate crisis,” says Takis Grigoriou, one of Hyperion’s cofounders. “We’re taking things into our own hands, producing our own energy, democratizing the energy sector and speeding up the transition in a societally fair and participatory way.” Social justice is key
Hyperion has pledged to donate a fixed share of its earnings to low-income households in Athens, a cultural center promoting African culture and a soup kitchen that feeds the poor near the capital.
Energy communities, says Chris Vrettos, another Hyperion founder, are a “solution at the intersection of the two major crises we’re facing: ecological destruction and the democratic backslide.” Each of Hyperion’s 130 members has one vote in all of the co-op’s decision-making processes.
Energy is so expensive in Greece — in 2022, Greece had the highest producer prices in the EU — Hyperion estimates that it can pay off its investment in just three to four years.
The electricity generated by the Hyperion farm is fed into the public grid and metered pro kilowatt hour. The members of the collective are credited this volume of electricity on their utility bills, each according to his or her investment, presumably for the next 25 years — the expected lifespan of the panels. .