PPC Group has presented a multi-billion euro plan to convert former lignite sites in Western Macedonia into a green energy and technology hub for Greece and south eastern Europe.
PPC Group’s Chairman and CEO Georgios Stassis, presented the €5.75bn strategic investment roadmap to the Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
The roadmap includes a plan to install over 3000MW of renewables capacity, next-generation units that produce energy through conventional and alternative sources and 860MW of storage capacity.
This green energy will not only serve national needs but will be also able to power Greece’s largest data centre and one of the biggest in Europe that will be built in the area once an agreement with hyperscalers is in place.
Mitsotakis said: “I cannot describe in words how visionary and ambitious this plan is.
“It is a plan of global scope, not just on a European level. A plan that I am absolutely convinced that a company with the financial strength of PPC and with the support of the Greek state and with access to European financial tools, we can all implement together.”
Stassis said: “This strategy serves as a catalyst for Western Macedonia to redefine itself through technology. PPC is a Powertech company– and its heart will beat in Western Macedonia.”
The former lignite areas in Western Macedonia are an ideal location for the development of large technology infrastructures, as they gather all the necessary elements for hosting large-scale data centers.
PPC has its own land, with readily available industrial land, without licensing obstacles and strong energy infrastructures in the region.
The diversified energy portfolio, with production from renewables, natural gas, pumped storage, and batteries, ensures the reliable and green supply of energy.
At the same time, the region has ample water resources, essential for cooling needs, experienced human resources with know-how in large projects, as well as strong high-voltage interconnections.