The leading role of Greece in achieving energy independence from Russia, the energy transition and the energy supply of the Balkans was pointed out by the US ambassador to Greece George Tsunis speaking today at a conference organized by Hellenic Energy Economy Society.

Greece has Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) import infrastructures in Revythoussa which were expanded while the construction of other LNG units in Alexandroupoli and elsewhere is being promoted, Mr. Tsounis emphasized. This creates competition which is important, as well as diversification of supply sources so that there is no dependence on Gazprom or the Kremlin.

In the RES sector, he added, Greece is in the top ten of the European Union. Many of these investments were made, he pointed out, by US companies or with US-sourced equipment. Referring to the role of our country in the energy supply of the region, he pointed out that Bulgaria would not have survived the previous winter without the assistance of Greece and that our country can take a leading role in supplying the countries on the northern borders with both natural gas as well as electricity exports.

Referring to shipping, Mr. Tsounis proposed that the EU should strengthen with funds the investments required to supply Greek shipping with green hydrogen.

At the same conference, the Deputy Minister of Environment and Energy, Alexandra Sdoukou, referred to the challenges facing the energy policy, which included:

– The adequacy of supply, an area in which both Europe and Greece are in a much better position compared to last year.

– The price of natural gas, for which the possibility of increases cannot be ruled out, with effects on electricity as well.

-The further penetration of RES in the energy mix: in the last four years the potential of RES has doubled, from 5.7 gigawatts in 2019 to 11 gigawatts today. 16 gigawatts of projects are under construction, another 37 gigawatts are awaiting connection terms, and grid operators are accelerating the investments needed to welcome green energy. At the same time, in the next few days, two more tenders for energy storage units, 300 and 400 megawatts respectively, will be announced towards the end of the year.

– The development of RES combined with storage as well as offshore wind farms.

– Ensuring the required raw materials and rare earths for the energy transition.

-The protection of energy infrastructures from the effects of climate change.

-The intensity of efforts to improve energy efficiency with the announcement of three new budget programs of 320 million Euros by the end of the year.