What are the Actual Facts about the Wind
Turbines in Paros?
I just
heard about it. Is it something new?
-No, it started before 2010. The first time
the Municipality was informed of what was going on, was in 2010. They decided
to refuse such plans and to form a coalition with the other islands in the same
predicament: Naxos, Tinos and Andros. On March
2014 it was decided to take matters to the Higher Court of Greece (ΣΤΕ). Unfortunately, until then, this was not
widely known. On January 2015, an attorney was appointed to represent the Municipality of Paros in this litigation. On February 2015 a statement against the
Windfarms was issued. The court date, which was set for February 2017, got
postponed and the new date is for May the 25th .
On July 2016, the City Council decided to
form a committee to coordinate the combined efforts of the Municipality, all
the Associations of Paros, residents and Friends of Paros. Since then, a big
number of informative events have occurred. Between the gatherings at
“Archilochos”, the speeches made and the question in the Greek Parliament by
KKE (Communist Party), the awareness of the residents of Paros
keeps growing every day.
So, what’s the big deal? We are talking
about a couple of small wind Turbines, like the ones in Kamares?
-No. We are talking
for a grand total of about 100, just on Paros.
There will be 8 windfarms. The first two will be producing 36MW each, and they
will have a total of 30-36 wind turbines. The ones in Kamares, are producing
3MW and they are about 70
meters high. The new ones (Enercon –E70) are about 115 meters high in
total.
So these super-duper new wind turbines are
of the latest technology!
-No, the Enercon
-E70 was designed in 1998. Would you buy a 19 - 20 year old …new car?
What’s the big deal? What harm will 36 Wind
turbines can do?
-The infrastructure
needed will be disastrous for the Paros Environment; they will have to make new
big roads of 5 - 18 meters
width, 15 km
long to be able to bring these huge machines to the places to be installed.
Plus new power columns, towers, and additional constructions in land that is
virgin now. Remember, 36 of them are programmed only for Phase A.
I’m sure that the land owners have been
adequately compensated.
-No. The land owners, mostly simple goat herders, were not properly informed.
Their land was rent at ridiculously low prices, plus after 20 – 25 years it
will be left destroyed. The Wind Turbines that are planned, will require 30.000 cubic meters
of concrete for their foundation alone.
So what? Afterwards, they will be restored
and recycled.
- Indeed, it is in the contracts. But the examples of old Wind Farms tell us
that they are left ‘as is’ to rot. In some cases, the companies just declared
bankruptcy. In such a case, the burden of recycling falls to the government,
which, as we all know, has no money for that.
We all have to do our part for renewable
energy, not just ‘someone else’
-Agreed! But should
we destroy Paros in the process? Paros is one
of the most popular tourist destinations in Greece, with huge benefits for our
ailing Economy. Do we really need to turn it into an Industrial park that no
one wants to visit?
Don’t you have laws in Greece
protecting the Environment?
-Yes, we do. That’s the main reason we were confident that we would never get
this far with the situation. Gradually, essential parts of laws changed in
favor of the wind turbines, exceptions were issued, or simply ignored. And here
we are!
But the benefits to the local society will
be great!
-No. The Company is
required to give 1,7 % of the gross income to the Municipality. That is an
insignificant amount, given the size of Paros
and the fact that it is a huge source of income for the State, being very
popular for Tourists. If it was a small unheard of island or village, things
might be different.
C’mon! At least the big Power Plant
in Naousa will close down!
-No. Given that the wind is a highly unstable source, the Power Plant will have
to stay fully functional, even upgraded, on reserve.
At least Paros
will be self-sufficient
-Again, no. The power produced will go to the main grid, and from there it will
be coming back.
OK, but the bill of ΔΕΗ will be reduced.
-No. Power produced by wind turbines, is more expensive than burning fossil
fuel. Sad but true. The only way to keep things viable is with huge subsidies
from the EU. Which, at some point we WILL HAVE to pay back. And we all know how
well that turned out for Greece
so far.
I see. Well, at least the money will go to
Greek workers and a lot of job opportunities will happen
-Partly true. The main 4 stock holders of the Company, are Greek. The
construction crews will be hopefully Greek. The materials for the foundations
will be Greek. The wind turbines and additional machinery needed are made in Germany. And
after everything is installed, only two people will be required for
maintenance.
Still not convinced. Plus, I like the way
they look!
-Even if you are
one of the few that like the visual aspect of them, the undeniable damage to
the environment and especially to human health is to be considered. Please,
PLEASE, look it up. And I don’t even go to killing migratory birds.
They will attract many new tourists. I have
friends from Germany and the
Netherlands
who enjoy looking at them!
-Are you kidding me??
Why don’t they use small uninhabited
islands to install them? The Aegean Sea is
full of them!
- The cost would be 20-30% higher, for the extra infrastructure (ports, roads
etc.) and they dropped it. But good thing you mentioned it! Please Google
‘terna-energy ai giorgis ‘ and enjoy the new look of the little island of Agios Georgios!
I bet the local Community is divided over
this.
-No, actually, all the Political parties are against them. Even the Ecologists
are against Wind Turbines of this size. They object to not having an
alternative plan for self sufficiency though.
You keep
talking about ‘The Company’. Who are they?
- So far, they are
two companies: “ΑΙΟΛΙΚΟ ΠΑΡΚΟ ΓΟΥΡΛΕΣ Α.Ε” and “ΑΙΟΛΙΚΟ
ΠΑΡΚΟ ΣΤΡΟΥΜΠΟΥΛΑΣ Α.Ε.” According
to the permits, the Stockholders for both of them, are:
Dimitrios Kopelouzos, Kyriaki Kopelouzou, Ioannis Samaras, Athanasios
Pastirmatzis & “ENEL GREEN POWER HELLAS A.E”.
Let’s say you convinced me. Is there a
petition?
