Lignite: The last smokestacks will be extinguished by 2026
The Greek government remains committed to phasing out lignite, excluding it from the country's energy equation even in potential crisis scenarios.
The Greek government has reaffirmed its commitment to a lignite phase-out by 2026, ruling out the use of lignite as an energy source even in emergency situations. This decision comes despite memories of past energy crises, such as that of 2022, when lignite was brought back into consideration. Senior officials from the Ministry of Environment and Energy point out that the feasibility of using lignite has diminished as several power plants have been shut down and many mines have closed permanently.
The current government plans to address any potential energy crisis by focusing on alternative energy sources instead of relying on lignite. This approach underscores the government's confidence in renewable energy sources (RES) and natural gas, despite the latter being an imported fuel. The strategy emphasizes diversification of energy sources to ensure stability and sustainability within the energy market, rather than reverting to past dependencies on domestic fossil fuels like lignite.
Further complications arise from technical issues related to the lignite infrastructure, making a return to lignite increasingly impractical. As Greece works towards its goal of a sustainable energy transition, the complete phase-out of lignite marks a significant shift in energy policy and reflects a broader commitment to environmental sustainability and climate goals. The decisions made today will likely have lasting implications for Greece's energy landscape in the years to come.