Blog

Honourable Secretary General,
representative of the President of Parliament, Regional Governor, Members of Parliament, Mayors, President of Greek Energy Communities’ Coalition, … dear friends,

Today is a particularly important day for Arkalohori and for Minoan Energy.

We are here to lay the foundation stone of the district heating project, the first component of the Green Circular Economy Hub of Arkalohori.

A project born from a simple but powerful idea:
to transform what we have until now considered a problem into a source of energy, development, and social prosperity.

Agricultural residues, prunings, biomass, and organic materials from our region now acquire value and return to society as affordable heat, clean energy, income, and new opportunities.

Often, when we speak about a project, we refer to its cost.

Today, however, it is worth speaking about its benefit.

If only 1,000 families in Arkalohori save on average 1,000 euros per year on their heating, then approximately 1 million euros remain in the local economy every year.

Over the lifetime of the project, this benefit may exceed 50 million euros.

And this without counting the additional benefits.

The new jobs that will be created.

The income that will remain with farmers and professionals in the area.

The reduction of energy expenses for municipalities and municipal infrastructure.

The use of local raw materials instead of imported fuels.

The protection of the environment.

The strengthening of the country’s energy security.

And above all, the confidence gained by a local society when it realizes that it can produce on its own a significant part of the energy it needs.

For Arkalohori, which was tested so harshly by the earthquake, this project also carries a special symbolism.

It proves that reconstruction is not only about restoring damage.

It is about creating a better future.

A future that is more resilient, more just, more sustainable.

I would like to warmly thank the State, the Region, the Municipalities, our partners, and all those who contributed to reaching this day.

And I express the hope that today’s foundation ceremony is only the beginning.

The beginning of a project that can become a model not only for Crete, but for the entire country.

Today we are not simply laying the foundation of a building.

We are laying the foundation of a new development model, where energy, the economy, the environment, and society operate in a virtuous cycle for the benefit of all.

Thank you.
Charalampos Giannopoulos