Greece introduces new spatial planning rules for renewable energy

The Greek Ministry of Environment and Energy has introduced new Special Spatial Planning Frameworks for Renewable Energy Sources (RES) and tourism. The initiative, presented by Minister Stavros Papastavrou, aims to balance energy transition with the protection of the natural environment, cultural heritage, and local communities.

Under the new regulations, wind turbine installations are prohibited in several sensitive areas, including Attica, the Thessaloniki metropolitan area, mountain regions above 1,200 meters, Natura 2000 sites, forests, and Ramsar wetlands. Restrictions also apply to islands smaller than 300 square kilometers and certain historical or archaeological sites.

For solar energy, the framework introduces a maximum land coverage limit of 1.5% per Regional Unit to protect agricultural land and landscapes. Photovoltaic installations are prohibited in forests, national parks, and protected cultural heritage zones. These new rules do not apply retroactively to existing projects that are already operational or have received environmental permits, nor do they affect rooftop solar installations.