Greek islands Naxos and Andros face wind energy installations

The publication of a new Special Spatial Planning Framework for Renewable Energy Sources (RES) has sparked criticism regarding its impact on several Greek islands, including Naxos, Andros, and Donousa.

The new regulations exclude islands smaller than 300 square kilometers from land-based wind turbine placement. As the largest island in the Cyclades, Naxos does not qualify for this protection, despite a unanimous decision by its Municipal Council against new wind turbine installations. Specifically, the Drymalia municipal unit has been designated as an area suitable for wind energy.

Furthermore, the framework includes the three municipal units of Andros—Andros, Korthio, and Hydousa—in areas where wind turbine placement is permitted. This contradicts previous public assurances made by Vice President Kostis Hatzidakis on August 1, who stated that Andros would be fully exempt from the new spatial planning rules. Critics argue these developments demonstrate a lack of reliability in government policy toward local island communities.