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Description
The Municipality of Skyros, the southernmost and largest island of the Northern Sporades, places a strong emphasis on environmental protection, infrastructure modernization, and sustainable management as key priorities for enhancing residents’ quality of life. In line with its vision to become a leader in environmental policy, the Municipality participated in the GR-ENERGY Program, implementing innovative and demonstrative energy interventions in strategic locations across the island.
Key project interventions included:
1. Creation of a Microgrid System at the Biological Wastewater Treatment Plant
Installation of a 20 kW photovoltaic system with net metering and battery storage, introducing an innovative and resilient energy model.
Deployment of a back-up energy supply system utilizing renewable energy and hydrogen technologies to ensure uninterrupted operation of the plant''s critical systems.
Replacement of existing lighting with energy-efficient LED fixtures.
Installation of an EV charging station.
2. Street Lighting Upgrade
Replacement of conventional street lamps with LED fixtures.
Installation of 20 autonomous solar-powered street lamps along the main road from the port to Chora.
3. Renewable Energy Integration
Installation of a 60 kWp photovoltaic plant using virtual net metering to supply energy to the municipal slaughterhouse.
4. Energy Efficiency Improvements at Skyros Primary School
Installation of heat pumps for efficient heating.
Upgrade of lighting with LED technology.
5. Promotion of Electromobility
Acquisition of two electric vehicles and one electric motorcycle to support municipal operations with sustainable mobility solutions.
6. Monitoring and Evaluation
Installation of measurement and monitoring equipment to track energy performance and evaluate the results of the interventions.
These actions demonstrate the Municipality''s commitment to sustainable development.
Summary of project results
The project was completed successfully with no significant implementation challenges, except for a notable increase in the cost of materials and equipment compared to the initial budget estimates. This cost escalation was attributed to the broader energy crisis, which had a widespread impact on construction and energy retrofit pricing across Europe.
As a result, additional financial resources were required in the middle of implementation to fulfill the originally defined targets and commitments of the Project Promoter, as specified in the Inclusion Decision. The issue was formally acknowledged, and a request for additional funding was submitted to secure the achievement of the project''s predefined objectives and performance indicators.
In the end, 100% of the Project’s physical object was completed, following all legal procedures and within the framework of the EEA Grants 2014–2021 programme.
The Project of the Municipality of Skyros, under the GR-ENERGY Programme, included the following sub-projects:
- Sub-Project 1: Supply and installation of innovative RES and Energy Efficiency interventions in buildings & facilities of the Municipality of Skyros.
- Sub-Project 2: Supply of measuring equipment.
- Sub-Project 3: Provision of specialized consulting services for the scientific support of the project implementation.
- Sub-Project 4: Provision of specialized services for the dissemination of the project results.
- Sub-Project 5: Supply and installation of innovative supporting RES interventions and energy efficiency improvements in buildings and facilities of the Municipality of Skyros.
In addition, in the context of strengthening the bilateral relations of the Municipality of Skyros with partners from the Donor Countries, a visit to the premises of the Icelandic National Energy Authority in Reykjavik (Orkustofnun) was carried out in September 2024 to transfer know-how and good practices in the field of green energy transition. Bilateral cooperation actions were carried out and a report was drawn up assessing the know-how transferred and describing specific results and ways of exploitation by the Municipality of Skyros.
The project has been successful in achieving the following key outcomes:
With the creation of a microgrid with RES and alternative technologies at the Biological treatment plant of Skyros:
- Energy savings: 37,57 MWh/year
- Annual reduction of CO2 emissions: 39,92 t
- Cost savings: 2.849,10€
With the replacement of 245 interconnected lamps of conventional technology with corresponding LEDs and the installation of 20 autonomous lamps on the main road from the port to Chora:
- Energy savings: 54,90 MWh/year
- Annual reduction of CO2 emissions: 58,33 t
- Cost savings: 4.973,94€
With the supply and installation of a 60 kWp photovoltaic plant with virtual net metering on the premises of the Municipality of Skyros:
- Energy savings: 80,95 MWh/year
- Annual reduction of CO2 emissions: 86,01 t
- Cost savings: 8.,950,50€
The Project of the Municipality of Skyros in the GR-ENERGY Programme in critical public infrastructure of the island achieves a reduction in energy consumption for the operation of the infrastructure (Biological Treatment, Skyros Primary School, the building that houses the Slaughterhouses, street lighting) and, consequently, a reduction of energy consumption and CO2 emissions. In addition, the electric vehicle charging stations raises citizens'' awareness of sustainable mobility, as they are autonomous and, due to the photovoltaic system has a zero-energy footprint. The project contributes to the improvement of the quality of life for the residents of the area, saving resources and creating incentives for modern green energy transition technologies.